Friday, October 31, 2008 Pdea calls for vigilance v. impostors
THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (Pdea), through Undersecretary Dionisio Santiago, called for vigilance against impostors, who are using their agency's name for illegal activities.
The call was made amid last Saturday's jail break, where seven New People's Army rebels were rescued by their companions who pretended to be Pdea agents.
Santiago lamented that the apparent laxity of security personnel in the jail facility greatly contributed to the unfortunate incident last October 25, 2008, when heavily armed men stormed the said jail and rescued NPA leaders identified as Margie Lupo and her husband Donato Palo-Navia.
The couple was captured a day before the rescue at a checkpoint in Barangay Bolo Labrado, Pangasinan around 2 a.m.
Santiago advised counterparts in both government and private installations to undertake strict security measures and request for valid identification cards from people who introduce themselves as Pdea agents.
The Pdea chief added that their agents do not arbitrarily enter any police, military or jail facility without the proper pre-operation and coordination papers. Moreover, the Pdea agents have duty issued identifications card and badges with certificates of conferment, while the Pdea organic personnel likewise have IDs in lieu of badges.
These, he said, have been cleared among members of all PNP, military and jail facilities even before. And these are all information that the jail guards have thrown out of their memory.
According to him, all Pdea agents and personnel have been properly oriented to present their IDs without resentment when requested for the same by law enforcement or military units.
Santiago clarified that Pdea implements strict guidelines with regard to the issuance and exclusivity of wearing uniforms; thus only organic agents and personnel are authorized to wear them.
He added that pertinent provisions of article 177 (usurpation of authority or official functions) and article 179 (illegal use of uniform) of the Revised Penal Code are applicable in such cases where someone is caught either introducing themselves as Pdea agents or wearing any Pdea uniform without proper authority.
The same laws apply to non-government organizations, groups or affiliations.
One of which is the Citizen Anti-Drug Action Group (Cadag) under a certain retired BGEN Leoncio B. Danlega, which solicits from their victims, usually owners of small businesses, and threatens or coerces them.
This is an act of grave misrepresentation and is not in any way sanctioned or supported by Pdea.
On the other hand Pdea Western Visayas Regional Director, Police Supt. Roybel Sanchez, also warned the Ilonggos to be vigilant of illegal activities of any person especially those who solicit using the Pdea's name.
The best thing to do is to coordinate with the Pdea Western Visayas first for verification said Sanchez.
"They have first to confirm with our office before giving any amount in order not to be victimized of possible impostors", Sanchez advised. (RPS)
