PDEA supports bill authorizing wiretapping in drug cases

THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) expressed support Sunday on the proposed bill amending the anti-wiretapping law.

PDEA Director General Isidro S. Lapeña said the new measure is a welcome development and demonstrates the support of the Senate in the national campaign against illegal drugs.

“The proposed bill, if approved, would allow wiretapping on suspected big-time drug lords to intercept and record their criminal communications that can be used as evidence against them,” he said.

Senator Panfilo Lacson has filed Senate Bill No. 48 authorizing wiretapping in cases involving violations of Republic Act 9165 or “The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002”.

“Though there is a conflict in the invasion of citizen’s privacy of communication and abuse of authority- issues that stall the eventual passage of the bill into law, it will give PDEA and other drug law enforcement agencies additional investigative and judicial tools to reach the structure and hierarchy of drug-trafficking organizations and finally bring them to justice,” Lapeña explained. (SDR/Sunnex)