New PDEA head to focus cutting drug sources, reforming users

September 12, 2017

The new head of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) will focus on cutting main sources of illegal drugs and reforming drug surrenderers.

PDEA director general Aaron Aquino said Tuesday they will work with other government agencies to achieve this goal.

Among these is the Bureau of Customs, headed by Commissioner and former PDEA chief Isidro Lapena, who recently said 70 percent of illegal drugs pass through the seaports.

“If we remove 70 percent of illegal drugs circulating in the country, that's a big accomplishment,” Aquino said in a press conference.

Aquino said with Lapena, whom he used to work with in Davao, was appointed BOC chief.

“There will be more collaboration and coordination. We will pour are resources to help them,” he said.

It is better to focus on main sources of drugs rather than focusing on street-level drug operations. “Why don't we target the main supply?” he said.

With barely 2,000 personnel, Aquino said they need the help from other law enforcement agencies like the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Aquino is also pushing for the creation of community-based reformation centers in every city and municipality  to help the 1.3 million drug suspects who have surrendered.

“We have too many operations. Let's reform them to give them a chance,” said Aquino.

Aquino said he will ask the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to implement this program which he initiated in Central Luzon. This is a three-month program where around 18,000 former drug dependents have been reformed. DMS