NOTWITHSTANDING its busy and hectic anti-drug operations the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) capably went through with its promise to file drug smuggling charges against those perceived to be involved in the illegal shipment of around P11 billion worth of “shabu” using magnetic lifters.
This is a notable accomplishment on the part of PDEA considering the tons of documents it had to gather and collate just to prepare the cases it has to file and, a significant development relative to the war on drugs. By achieving a no-nonsense attitude and reputation in the campaign to rid illegal drugs in the country the PDEA has finally earned the respect it needs to put the fear of God against drug lords and drug syndicates who have time and again thumbed their noses at the government’s campaign against illegal drugs.
The direction and stance of the PDEA will surely pave the way for a more clinical and incisive approach in the war against drugs and the government’s effort to finally destroy this menace to society.
It can be recalled that with the call of President Rodrigo Duterte for an intensified campaign against illegal drugs particularly ‘shabu’ the PDEA has energized itself by doubling up its efforts to detect and track down, arrest and put into government custody those who willfully and willingly engage in the nefarious trade of producing and selling illegal drugs such as shabu.
The PDEA has also earned the respect and admiration of the public by showing it persistence in following up and maintaining its vigilance over drug cases that it is handling and pursuing these cases up to its logical end.
This is vital to assure the public that at least in the national government there is such an agency as the PDEA willing to take the cudgels and responsibility with respect to the handling of drug cases involving high personality individuals.
It must be remembered that no less than the senate, specifically the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, in its report has recommended a lifestyle check and further investigation of the 18 individuals alleged to be involved in the illegal shipment of millions of pesos of shabu. In all probability these are the same individuals who will be named and identified as well as charged in court by PDEA for the said illegal drug smuggling.
One thing for sure, by its recent actions PDEA has shown the resolve and commitment to pursue its objectives of an effective campaign to prevent the spread of illegal drugs in the country.
Relative to this, the alleged involvement of officials of the PNP, customs and even in the PDEA reveals the depth of influence wielded by these drug syndicates in subverting authorities in the conduct of their drug operations.
The recommendation of the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee for a lifestyle check against those alleged to be involved in the 11 billion illegal drug shipment should be modified to include all those who are either superiors or subordinates of those implicated in the illegal drugs case since it is highly likely that more individuals in government could be involved in the said illegal drugs smuggling.