PDEA, AFP seal agreement to keep country safe, drug-free

From the Philippine News Agency (Mar 1): PDEA, AFP seal agreement to keep country safe, drug-free

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) signed Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on Tuesday that sealed their cooperation to keep the citizenry safe and free from illegal drugs.

PDEA Director General Isidro S. Lapeña and AFP Chief of Staff, General Eduardo M. Año led the MOA signing, and was witnessed by key officials from the two law enforcement agencies.

Also present during the ceremony were Chairman Benjamin Reyes of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), Hon. Robert Ace Barbers, Representative of the 2nd District, Surigao del Norte and Chairperson, Committee on Dangerous Drugs, Hon. Seth Frederick Jalosjos, Representative of the 1st District of Zamboanga del Norte, and Hon. Arnolfo Teves, Jr., Representative of the 3rd District of Negros Oriental.

“Both parties shall exercise administrative control over their respective units and personnel. However, PDEA shall take the lead role, or force employer in the national anti-drug campaign, while the AFP shall be the force provider, most especially in conflict-affected areas wherein terror groups are prevalent” Lapeña said, adding that no anti-drug operations will be conducted without the approval of the Agency.

Under the agreement, PDEA and the AFP have declared their cooperation to safeguard the well-being of the Filipino citizenry particularly the youth, from the harmful effects of dangerous drugs on their physical and mental well-being, and to defend the same against acts or omissions detrimental to their development and preservation.

In addition, Intelligence and counter-intelligence build-up and investigation against personalities in government and influential groups shall be conducted by PDEA and the AFP’s Joint Counter-Intelligence Task Force (JCTF) Noah.

The MOA governs the two parties to establish a national-level intelligence fusion center, together with other law enforcement agencies, national government agencies/offices, and other local government units.

“The intelligence hub will assist PDEA in arresting big-time drug lords and suppression of sources of supply of dangerous drugs and controlled precursors and essential chemicals (CPECs). The Agency, with the AFP’s support, shall conduct continuing investigation to ensure all members of the syndicates will be accounted and identified, as well as gather vital evidence for the successful prosecution of the case,” Lapeña said.
         
PDEA and AFP also agreed to conduct community relations geared towards the clearing of drug-affected barangays and maintain cooperation involving the exchange of trainings that deals on drug enforcement, preventive education and intelligence and counter-intelligence.

“PDEA’s foremost mission is to undertake a national campaign for drug prevention and control, to a same degree that the AFP’s mandate is to protect the people and the State, secure its sovereignty and the integrity of the national territory. These two institutions have their own battles to wage against different adversaries. But nonetheless have vowed to make a united stand against anything or anyone who threatens to inflict drug-related harm to the country and its people,” the PDEA chief said.

http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/241488358630/pdea-afp-seal-agreement-to-keep-country-safe-drug-free