PDEA cites achievements in less bloody drug war

PDEA Director Aaron Aquino Photo by Noy Morcoso/INQUIRER.net

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has conducted a total of 2,161 drug operations and seized a total of P104.1 million worth of illegal drugs since it took over the government’s war on drugs in October.

This was the latest report released by PDEA on Tuesday regarding its anti-drug accomplishments since President Rodrigo Duterte tasked the agency to take the lead in the anti-drug campaign.

According to the data, PDEA operatives arrested a total of 750 suspected drug personalities, rescued six minors and cleared 136 villages from suspected drug activities.

In addition, the data showed that 15 government workers were also arrested: four are elected officials, five armed forces personnel, and six government employees.

The PDEA also dismantled two drug dens and destroyed 17 marijuana plantation sites, according to the anti-drug agency. About 11.93 kilograms of shabu were also seized since the agency took over the drug war.

Only one drug suspect died in PDEA’s anti-drug operations, according to the agency’s tally.

READ: Only 1 casualty during PDEA’s leadership in gov’t drug war, data show

Last October, Duterte issued a directive assigning PDEA as the sole agency in the war on drugs following allegations of human rights abuses committed by policemen.

Duterte had also directed the Philippine National Police, the National Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Customs and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to stop conducting anti-drug operations. /jpv

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