Sotto pushes for Senate inquiry into sacking of PDEA high ranking officer

Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—The Senate now will look into the controversies surrounding the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) following the dismissal of its deputy director general, Carlos Gadapan.

Senate Majority Leader Vicente “Tito” Sotto III stood on the floor on Tuesday and moved for an inquiry into various allegations hurled at some officers of the agency.

“I was informed yesterday that the President fired a leading member of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, a leading officer. As a matter of fact, a deputy director general,” Sotto said.

“I have worked with that deputy director general for a time when I was chairman of the Dangerous Drugs Board and I can’t help but wonder what happened to the PDEA,” he said.

Sotto specifically pointed out various allegations reported in the media involving family problems of certain PDEA officers.

“I rise to call the attention of the Senate and the proper committee to handle this and to conduct an inquiry if possible to be able to get to the bottom of things and if possible strengthen the PDEA,” he said.

Sotto’s motion was immediately referred to the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs.