Senate starts probe on PDEA

Senate of the Philippines. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO/JESS YUSON

MANILA, Philippines – The Senate on Monday began its inquiry into the recent controversy involving the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

The investigation by the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs was prompted by corruption  allegations in the  agency  following the dismissal of its deputy director-general,  Carlos Gadapan.

The committee also intends to “look into the creation of PDEA in order to strengthen it to fight the problem of illegal and dangerous drugs in the country.”

It was Senate Majority Leader Vicente C. Sotto III, who initiated the investigation, after he delivered a speech last week  about Gadapan’s dismissal.

“I worked with [Gadapan] for a time when he was chairman of the Dangerous Drugs Board and I can’t help but wonder what happened to the PDEA,” Sotto said.