PDEA attributes high drug incidence report to intensive monitoring, apprehensions;
On its 5th year of operations, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) attributes the reports on high prevalence of shabu use and production in the Philippines to their intensified efforts in monitoring and apprehensions.;
PDEA 6 Legal officer, Atty. Ronnie Delicana said in a radio interview, that the United Nations Report citing the Philippines as such, showed that the agency has been accomplishing a lot of apprehensions.;
“Those countries which may have not been mentioned as having high incidence, may mean have not done any apprehensions,” Delicana said.;
Delicana said this report should be seen in a positive way, as shown by reports of many clandestine laboratories raided and cases filed.;
He said they, in fact,; appreciate the cooperation of other countries in Southeast Asia such that they were able to apprehend drug users and drug pushers.;
He added that the high price of shabu on the streets indicates the scarcity of this commodity because of the apprehensions made.;
As to cases filed, Delicana said, about 98 percent are brought to courts after preliminary investigations, especially because there are measures instituted by the Office of the President to improve conduct of investigations.;
He further said that through Administrative Order 53, President Arroyo has ordered that cases dismissed be reinvestigated, especially those that bear life imprisonment and when reviewed, decision sustained as the case and evidences of the PFEA would show, the dismissal will be reversed for conviction.;
Delicana said PDEA still banks on the cooperation of the public in curbing illegal drug production and use.;
He warned the public that seemingly, financial investments in illegal drugs trade may be small, but when they are caught, their lifetime investment is forever lost.; (PIA6/ESS);