Aquino: Strengthen PDEA instead of creating new agency

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chief Aaron Aquino said Monday that the government should instead strengthen the agency and the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) instead of creating a new body to address the problem of illegal drugs.

“Why not just modernize the PDEA and DDB? Why create another agency? Is there an assurance that there will be a great improvement if they abolish the PDEA and DDB?” he said in an interview with CNN Philippines’ “The Source.”

He said that the budget for PDEA should instead be increased and modernized equipment be provided to the agency.

Aquino was reacting to the proposal of Senate President Vicente Sotto III to create a Presidential Drug Enforcement Authority, which will be under the Office of the President.

The body aims to place the enforcement and prosecution of drug-related cases and rehabilitation efforts under one agency. It will also replace the PDEA and the DDB.

/atm