Coast Guard, National Coast Watch Center sign agreement on combatting illegal drugs

January 7, 2020

The National Coast Watch Center (NCWC) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) as part of government's campaign against illegal drugs.

The MOA was signed by Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Commandant Admiral Joel Garcia also the head of NCWC and PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino in Quezon City on Tuesday morning.

The PCG said the agreement aims "to eradicate illegal drug smuggling, transportation, and transshipment using the vast coastlines of the Philippines".

"As the first-ever formal agreement between PDEA and NCWC, the effort is an application of the whole-of-government approach to protect Philippine waters against the transit of illegal drugs," the PCG said.

It also noted that "under the MOA, NCWC and PDEA agree to extend mutual assistance in the interdiction of illegal drugs, as well as controlled precursors and essential chemicals (CPECs) entering the Philippine shores."

"They shall also conduct regular meetings to discuss operational matters, updates on anti-drug smuggling programs, formulation of strategies, as well as exchange of best practices and knowledge through seminars and workshops --- to ensure the efficient and effective implementation of maritime and coastal monitoring, especially of suspected attempts of drug smuggling," it added. Robina Asido/DMS