PDEA, BOC to block entry of illegal drugs into PH with new task group

PDEA chief Aaron Aquino and Customs Commissioner Rey Leonardo Guerrero sign the memorandum of agreement on January 31, 2019 at the PDEA office. The agreement will create a joint task group that will help block the entry of illegal drugs into the country. Noy Morcoso/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines —  The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and Bureau of Customs (BOC) have signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to create a joint drug task group that would strengthen its partnership in curbing the entry of illegal drugs in the Philippines.

“Under the agreement, PDEA and BOC agree to observe utmost transparency to fulfill the conditions stated in the MOA, to create a drug interdiction Task Group to promote a closer working relationship between the parties, and exchange best practices and knowledge concerning smuggling, importation, transportation, and transshipment of dangerous drugs through seminars and workshops,” PDEA Chief Aaron Aquino said in a statement on Thursday.

The MOA is an amendment to the previous agreement between PDEA and BOC signed on September 10, 2010, which allows PDEA “to take charge and have custody of seized illegal drugs and CPECs during BOC’s anti-illegal drug operations and take the lead role in the conduct of anti-drug operations and investigation.”

Under the MOA, Aquino said Customs have allowed PDEA to conduct random inspections on the entry of controlled precursors and essential chemicals (CPECs) in the Philippines.

“We are now required by Bureau of Customs freely to conduct inspections on all chemicals kasama na dun yung precursors. Nung una wala kaming authority na gawin yun. It is good now we are given the opportunity to inspect at random na kahit sinong chemicals na nagpapadala ating bansa. It is very important because these chemicals and controlled precursors could be used to smuggle these kinds of chemicals are important for production of dangerous drugs,” Aquino said during the press conference after the MOA signing.

PDEA and BOC will also have comprehensive information sharing on illegal drug activities from sources such as international counterparts.

“Under ng MOA, BOC and PDEA will have intelligence information sharing not only intelligence information from PDEA but also from international counterparts that directly give it to BOC,” Aquino said.

Aquino explained that PDEA experienced problems with information sharing in the past because BOC failed to inform PDEA about illegal drug activities.

“Ang nangyari nun ang one international counterpart just provide information to Bureau of Customs without informing PDEA. Dun pa lang nagkaroon na ng problema sa intelligence sharing. But now whether we get information from BOC, outright we will get informed so that we can jointly conduct surveillance or any kind of operations that is appropriate for that particular information,” Aquino added.

PDEA will also provide the BOC with any intelligence information regarding all shipments suspected to contain illegal drugs and CPECs.

Another general provision in the agreement states that members of BOC Customs Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force will be selected and under direct control and supervision of the BOC Commissioner.

However, the PDEA Chief may also recommend the removal or replacement of any member for “just causes and after the observance of due process.”

The MOA signing was held at the PDEA Activity Area, PDEA National Headquarters in Quezon City.  /muf