PDEA awards P5.4 M to informants, law enforcers of anti-drug operations

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has awarded over P5.4 million to informants and law enforcers of big-time anti-drug operations.

Over P3.17 million have been awarded to 13 individuals who provided information that led to 19 big-time operations against illegal drugs as part of the agency’s Operation Private Eye program.

Only 11, however, were able to get their cash reward on Wednesday. Their faces were covered when they received the money at the PDEA national headquarters in Quezon City.

“Operation Private eye is one way of encouraging the public to help the government’s anti-drug campaign by providing a cash reward for information that results in the seizure of illegal drugs and the arrest of drug personalities,” PDEA chief Director General Aaron Aquino said on Wednesday.

He said the PDEA also promised to protect the identity of the tipsters.

PDEA said an informant with the codename “Efren” received over P986,889 — the highest in the batch — for relaying information to authorities that led to two successful big-time operations in Makati and Muntinlupa.

The Private Eye Rewards Committee, which awards cash to tipsters, is composed of members of the academe, non-government organizations, law enforcement, and religious and business sectors.

PDEA said tipsters may relay information on illegal drug activities by filling out an Information Report Form and sending it by fax, mail, or personally submitting it to the nearest PDEA office.

Meanwhile, another P2.3 million has been awarded to six operating units of the agency for scoring successful anti-drug operations, as part of a similar program called Operation Lawmen.

The rewards were given to PDEA Intelligence and Investigation Service (IIS) and Special Enforcement Service (SES), and its regional offices in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Western Visayas, and Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao.

Of the six units, PDEA-IIS received the highest amount worth P956,617 for conducting three successful operations in Manila that led to the arrest of a Chinese national accused of involvement in drugs.

According to Aquino, the rewards for members of the anti-illegal drug units aim to boost the agency’s morale in conducting anti-drug operations. /ee

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