THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 7 was awarded by its central office for its series of successful operations against illegal drugs.
PDEA Director General Isidro Lapeñas said PDEA 7 was the top performer on illegal drug confiscation among the branches of the agency.
“We have now a PDEA that has been delivering. Before, there’s not much accomplishment,” Lapeñas said in a press conference.
Following the suspension of Ermita barangay officials, Lapeñas stressed that the community should help the agency in their anti-illegal drug campaign.
“We have a higher conviction rate. PDEA 7 headed the move to suspend the barangay officials who are uncooperative in the campaign against illegal drugs and that’s another factor why they were awarded,” he said.
The Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas recently placed Ermita Barangay Captain Felicisimo “Imok” Rupinta and seven councilors under preventive suspension for six months.
The officials allegedly did not cooperated with PDEA 7 agents when they raided two drug dens near the Ermita barangay hall last Nov. 6 .
Lapeñas also defended the recent operation of PDEA 7, which led to the death of 28-year-old call center agent Niño Rodel Taboada in Barangay Duljo Fatima.
The director general said PDEA 7 coordinated with the central office about the operation and their surveillance proved to be positive.