New PNP unit to go after high-profile drug criminals, shabu labs

PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PNP DEG) chief Senior Supt. Graciano Mijares. JULLIANE LOVE DE JESUS/INQUIRER.net

The new drug group the Philippine National Police (PNP) formed will only go after high-profile drug personalities and dismantle drug laboratories, its chief said on Friday.

Members of the drug units in different police stations will still conduct antinarcotics operations in the street level, PNP Drug Enforcement Group (DEG) chief Senior Supt. Graciano Mijares clarified.

“Our mission in the DEG is to go after high-value targets with high impact financiers, manufacturers, distributors, traffickers, protectors. That’s our mandate,” Mijares said in a press conference at Camp Crame.

“The rest at the regional level down to the police stations, they will be in charge of the ‘Tokhang Reloaded’ portion,” he said.

Mijares particularly mentioned the cases of Marine Lt. Col. Ferdinand Marcelino linked to drugs and methamphetamine hydrochloride or “shabu” laboratories in Angeles, Pampanga, Masbate and Aparri, Cagayan.

The DEG, which was only formed this week, has started re-validating intelligence information on high-value drug targets in the country.

The unit will also look into local government leaders protecting drug businesses in their areas.

With only 54 personnel initially on its roster, Mijares, however, said they plan to embed satellite DEG units to the regions to expand their operations.

READ: Members of new PNP drug unit to undergo stringent background check

“Ang target natin (Our target) is the establishment of offices in Luzon, Regions 3 and 4, Visayas and Cebu and Mindanao,” he said.

Mijares said they had been authorized by the PNP leadership to have the strength of up to 477 personnel nationwide./rga