Authorities are urging the public to be more involved in the fight against illegal drugs.
The public should help the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) uncover drug laboratories and apprehend drug pushers, said PDEA-7 deputy director Esperidion Javier in a press conference organized by the Kiwanis Club-Cebu District at Casino Español yesterday.
Javier said cash rewards await those who can give the PDEA a tip that would lead to the arrest of people involved in the illegal drug trade.
A tip that would lead to the discovery of a big shabu laboratory has a corresponding reward of P1.5 million.
Javier said P500,000 will be given to someone who can give the PDEA a tip about a kitchen-type shabu laboratory.
Javier recalled an incident in 2007 where an informant became an instant billionaire after helping the authorities discover a shabu laboratory in Mandaue City.
Tipsters should not worry about their security since their identities will be treated as confidential.
Under the Private Eye Program of PDEA, reporting of small or big scale drug pushers also has a corresponding cash reward.
Details about the program can be downloaded through www.pdea.gov.ph.
Javier added that the PDEA is monitoring four big-time drug lords in Cebu City.
These drug lords move from one place to another to avoid being tracked down by authorities, Javier said.
He added that they are also monitoring the smuggling of illegal drugs done through airports, seaports and even through mail or parcel services using human couriers.
Javier said the PDEA is hoping for the creation of a court that will exclusively handle drug cases since this will help speed up the resolution of drug cases.
Javier added that the help of barangay officials is also needed since Central Visayas only has 40 anti-narcotic agents.
Barangay officials should help in arresting small-time drug pushers since the PDEA is focusing on apprehending big-time drug syndicates.