PDEA welcomes NBI back in anti-drug campaign

December 9, 2017

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) welcomes the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) back in the government’s fight against illegal drugs, said PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino on Saturday.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II allowed the NBI to resume anti-drug operations, investigations and case build-up for violation of Republic Act 9165, or The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, following the issuance of DOJ Department Order No. 778 dated December 6, 2017.

The new department order  revoked an earlier order on October 13 directing NBI to suspend its participation in the war on drugs.

On December 5, President Rodrigo Duterte in a memorandum ordered the Philippine National Police  to rejoin the anti-drug fight.

“The cast is now complete. PDEA, PNP, and the NBI have significant roles to perform in the anti-drug war. PDEA shall continue to be the lead authority, the NBI-Task Force Against Illegal Drugs (TFAID) can also go after high-value targets, while the PNP would concentrate on illegal drug trafficking and street-level distribution across district, provincial, city and municipal boundaries,” Aquino added.

“It is good to have the PNP and the NBI as our allied brothers. PDEA now has a full complement to wage an all-out war against the drug menace,” the PDEA chief said. DMS