Public warned vs. persons posing as PDEA 'asset'
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) does not maintain so-called assets.
This was clarified by PDEA legal officer Atty. Ronnie Delicana in last Saturday's edition of radio program “Kape Beynte-Beynte” over Z100-FM amid reports that certain individuals pose as PDEA assets.
Delicana said under PDEA's new mandate they no longer authorize any person to act as their “asset.”
He said there are about 40 organic PDEA personnel in the region having proper appointments and there is no such thing as an asset.
“We would like to correct this old perception, we don't have so-called assets. It's either our organic personnel or nothing,” Delicana stressed.
Delicana called on the public to report to them personalities posing as PDEA assets.
Previously, several individuals carrying firearms, claiming to be PDEA assets, were reported in the media.
Delicana said the renewed PDEA has stopped tolerating so-called assets since it has been abused by some unscrupulous individuals.
Meanwhile, Delicana also defended the naming of nine Iloilo City barangays as seriously affected by drugs.
Delicana said the findings was a result of a series of workshops with the police and barangay leaders themselves.
The nine barangays named by PDEA as having serious illegal drugs situation are: Veterans Village, Tanza Esperanza and Malipayon in City Proper; Bakhaw in Mandurriao and San Juan, Boulevard and West Habog-Habog in Molo; and barangays Simon Ledesma and Desamparados in Jaro.
The City Liga ng mga Barangay headed by its president Irene Ong earlier reacted negatively on the PDEA's report.
The group contended that the PDEA did not consult the barangays about the report.
City Mayor Jerry Treñas earlier said that the joint report of the PDEA and Philippine National Police identifying nine barangays in the city with serious illegal drug problems will be used as basis for a more focused illegal drugs operation to contain the problem.
Delicana acknowledged the important role of the barangays in addressing the problem on illegal drugs.
“The cooperation of the barangay officials is highly needed since they are in the community. We in the PDEA cannot do this alone,” Delicana said.
Delicana proudly announced that their massive operations under the leadership of their officer-in-charge Paul Ledesma in the past weeks have resulted to the arrest of significant illegal drug personalities in the region.
In the month of June alone, Delicana said, PDEA conducted 35 operations which resulted to the arrest of 48 persons, 27 of whom are in their illegal drugs watchlist.
“The drug menace has long been there, we cannot totally eradicate this in a snap, but with the help of the community we can minimize this problem,” Delicana said.