Palace: PDEA still in charge of drug war

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) remains the “sole agency” tasked with waging the government’s war against drugs, Malacañang said on Monday.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said President Duterte had yet to issue the formal order bringing the Philippine National Police back into the government’s bloody antidrug campaign.

“It is safe to reveal that the President, while inclined to return to the PNP, has not made up completely his mind. Last Thursday was the last time I saw the President, and I heard him say again he is inclined but he has not transferred it to the PNP again,” Roque said at a press briefing in Davao City.

“So I guess until the document is signed by him, it remains with the PDEA,” he added.

Mr. Duterte on Thursday said that he “will have to return” to the PNP the role of waging the government’s war against illegal drugs to prevent the “shabu” (crystal meth) problem from worsening.

“I will actually seek clarification from the President but let’s not pressure him either way. That is a presidential discretion … prerogative,” Roque said.