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DRUGUSTERbThe Official Newsletter of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency

Providing information,Generating support,Mobilizing action

Against dangerous drugs

July to September 2014Revival IssueVolume II

Drug busters attack source of drug supply

PDEA hits 2 shabu warehouses in PampangaP2.38B worth of shabu siezed, 4 Chinese nationals nabbed

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) raided illegal facilities for manufacturing and warehouse of shabu during simultaneous operations conducted in two barangays in San Fernando, Pampanga on September 12, 2014. The operations resulted in the confiscation of finished products and essential chemicals with an estimated value of P2.38 billion and the arrest of four Chinese nationals.

PDEA Director General Undersecretary Arturo G. Cacdac, Jr. identified the arrested suspects as Willy Yap, Neil Tan, Jayson Lee and Ying Huang. The three male Chinese nationals were apprehended in the property in Greenville Subdivision in Barangay San Jose.

(Continued on page 2)

Malls as center for drug tradeA new business trend?

People from all walks of life frequent the malls – to shop, meet up with friends, watch movies, dine, or just pass the time. Even drug personalities are no exception.

Undersecretary Arturo G. Cacdac, Jr., Director General of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) disclosed the newest strategy of drug dealers and pushers in perpetrating their illegal activities using the malls as center for drug trade.

“Shopping malls, particularly the parking areas have become choice venues [for illegal drug transactions] where dangerous drugs can be exchanged discreetly in vehicles,” Usec. Cacdac said.

Reports disclosed that 11 illegal drug personalities have been arrested by PDEA agents in malls in separate operations conducted from March to September 2014.

P5M worth of shabu seized in Ali MallShabu worth P5M was confiscated

from two drug dealers as a result of a buy-bust operation conducted in a shopping mall by the PDEA Regional Office-National Capital Region (PDEA RO-NCR) under Atty. Jacquelyn De Guzman on September 8, 2014. The suspects, identified as Benigno Mendoza, 30, and Jaylord Turero, 23, were arrested inside a busy fast food chain located at the ground floor of Ali Mall in Quezon City. The duo yielded one kilogram of shabu and one unit of cellular phone that the suspects used to transact illegal business.2 pushers nabbed across mall in Manila

Two suspected drug pushers were nabbed across a shopping mall in San Lazaro, Manila on July 3, 2014, after selling 100 grams of shabu to a PDEA agent who served as poseur-buyer during a foiled transaction.


INSIDE PEEK

- Get it Straight from the Director General

- Amendment to RA 9165 favors drug enforcement procedures

- DG, PDEA connects with QC Barangay Public Safety Officers

- The PDEA-Green Revolution

- Meet the newest addition to the PDEA Family: BUSTEE!

PDEA Director General Usec. Arturo Cacdac, Jr., (3rd from

left), media representatives and police officers together with the

arrested drug personalities.

2 July to September 2014

PDEA hits 2 warehouses in Pampanga Malls as center for drug tradeFrom page 1 From page 1

Meanwhile, Ying Huang, reported to be Lee’s wife, was arrested in the property in Barangay Sindalan, apparently used as a warehouse for the finished products.

Operatives were able to recover from the sites a total of 530 plastic bags, 39 sacks and several plastic bottles containing suspected finished products and ingredients for manufacturing shabu. Based on the results of tests administered on the drug evidence as released by PDEA’s Laboratory Service, the facilities yielded 461.68 kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu), 14.26 liters of liquid meth and 236.77 kilograms of ephedrine, an essential ingredient in manufacturing shabu.

“The presence of ephedrine would indicate that the warehouse [in Greenville] might have been used as a clandestine laboratory, even without laboratory equipment. Because of visible impurities left behind [in the property], it could be assumed that after completing the production process, the equipment used were immediately transferred. It is also possible that the ephedrine found in the closed van is bound for delivery to another facility where another batch is scheduled for production,” Usec. Cacdac explained.

This recent accomplishment, according to the PDEA chief is the largest volume of illegal drugs seized by drug enforcers this year.

“This operation is triggered by a tip from an informant. [Our] SES [Special Enforcement Service] had conducted almost five months of surveillance operations against the properties and the suspects,” Usec. Cacdac said, referring to the elite PDEA team headed by Director Ismael Fajardo.

The Director General thanked the Anti-Illegal Drug Special Task Force of the Philippine National Police (PNP-AIDSOTF) for the invaluable support it extended to PDEA during the anti-drug operations. •

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Operational Accomplishments

Elements of the PDEA RO-NCR arrested Conrado Vergara, 36, and Alexis Roldan, 21, and confiscated 100 grams of shabu placed inside a knot-tied plastic bag. Also confiscated from the suspects is a motorcycle and one unit of cellular phone.

Notorious pusher busted in CDO mall for selling shabuA notorious drug pusher from Lanao del Sur was busted by

operatives of PDEA Regional Office 10 under Director Emerson Margate on June 12, 2014 in a shopping mall in Lapasan, Cagayan De Oro City. This was after the suspect, identified as Ben Bonsalagan, 32, delivered one plastic sachet containing 100 grams of shabu worth P700,000 to a poseur buyer. Operatives also confiscated the Toyota Vios the suspect used to transport his illegal merchandise.

Businessman caught for P7M worth of shabu in Bacolod shopping mall

A big player in the drug trade was caught red-handed in a buy-bust operation conducted by the combined elements of PDEA Regional Office 7 and PDEA RO-NCR on June 9, 2014, after handing over one heat-sealed plastic sachet of shabu to a poseur-buyer. The suspect, Edgardo Justo, 37, a business man, was arrested inside a popular shopping mall along Araneta Avenue in Barangay Sigcang, Bacolod City. Also recovered from Justo, who also goes by the alias Rey Roman, were 20 pieces of plastic sachets aggregately containing almost one kilogram of shabu worth P7 million pesos. Authorities likewise seized the black Isuzu D-Max that Justo used during the transaction.

2 arrested for drug transaction in Manila shopping mallTwo suspected drug pushers were taken into custody by

agents of PDEA RO-NCR on April 24, 2014, after the conduct of a buy-bust operation inside a shopping mall in Sta. Mesa Manila. Arrested were Kenneth Domingo, 23, and Jayson Dellosa, 24, in front of a dental and optical clinic in the third floor at the said mall for selling two heat-sealed transparent plastic sachet containing 25 grams of shabu to a PDEA agent disguised as a client.

3 pushers fall during buy-bust in Calamba mallThree suspected pushers fell into the trap prepared by the

elements of PDEA Regional Office 4A under Director Adzhar Albani, in a shopping mall in Calamba, Laguna on March 26, 2014. The trio were identified as Rolando Lim, 37, alias Siopao, Moseb Mangoda, 44, and Acmad Abangon, 30. The entrapment operation took place in the parking area of the said mall where operatives recovered two sachets of shabu weighing 60 grams and worth P100,000. Also confiscated was Lim’s motorcycle used during the transaction.

Appropriate cases for violation of Section 5, Article II of the Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 have already been filed against the suspects for selling and possession of dangerous drugs. •

3July to September 2014

For being PDEA’s eyes and ears

10 tipsters get P5.8M cash as rewardThey gave, they received. Ten civilian

tipsters received P5.8 million in cash rewards for being the eyes and ears of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in the communities.

The 10 informants received their cash rewards during the culminating program of PDEA’s 12th Anniversary celebration on July 30, 2014, in exchange of the valuable information they provided that led to significant anti-drug accomplishments. The informants, under PDEA’s Operation: Private Eye (OPE), identified only through their code names – Shoal, Philly, Master, Gohan, Daredevil, Bigboy, Superman, Thunder, Spartacus, and Wild Cat – wore ski masks to protect their identities when they received their cash reward. This was done in compliance with the provisions of Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation No. 5, series of 2003 to assure the anonymity of the informants.

OPE is a citizen-based information collection program that aims to counter public fear and apathy which hinders the people’s participation in the fight against

drugs. It intends to encourage private citizens to report to PDEA any information pertaining to suspected illegal drug activities.

Reward deliberationThe OPE Reward Committee has

the sole and exclusive discretion to deliberate on claims for rewards and grant appropriate monetary incentives. The Committee, a multi-sectoral body, is chaired by Usec. Arturo G. Cacdac, Jr., Director General of PDEA. The Chairman is supported by Asec. Abe L. Lemos, Deputy Director General for Operations; and Director Salome Jose, Financial Management Service (FMS), PDEA. The Dangerous Drugs Board also appointed Committee members to represent the following sectors: the business community, the academe, and the religious sector. All of the appointed individuals are well-established personalities with reputable integrity and probity in their respective community.


Masked for protection. PDEA Director General Usec. Arturo G. Cacdac, Jr. hands over to the masked tipster, Wildcat, his cash reward for serving as PDEA’s eyes and ears in his community. (Photo by Peter Labarosa, ODG)

PDEA destroys seized drugs worth P2BAlmost P2 billion worth of

dangerous drugs were reduced to ashes after the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) destroyed confiscated drug evidence through incineration and chemical treatment.

PDEA facilitated four separate occasions in three different locations for the destruction of drug evidence confiscated from anti-narcotics operations. This conforms with the provisions of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 or Republic Act 9165 which accorded PDEA the sole authority to destroy dangerous drugs, laboratory equipment and other drug paraphernalia that

are no longer needed in court as evidence and sufficiently covered by a court order.

First-stop: Cavite The first destruction activity

for the year was facilitated at the Integrated Waste Management, Inc. (IWMI) in Brgy. Aguado, Trece Martirez City, Cavite on January 29, 2014. Sen. Grace Poe, Chair of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, together with PDEA Director General Usec. Arturo G. Cacdac, Jr., led the incineration of poppy seeds, assorted drug evidence and expired medicines valued at P643.39 million.

(Cont. on page 9)


PDEA Director General Usec. Arturo G. Cacdac,

Jr. and chemists inspect a sack of illegal drugs prior to incineration (Photo by Peter

Labarosa, ODG)

4 July to September 2014Editorial

Breaking the spell“And true love’s kiss awoke the princess,

breaking the sleeping curse…”Many of us probably know how the fairy tale goes. Princess

goes under a sleeping spell and true love’s kiss breaks the spell. For many years, common conception of this spell-breaking “true love” denotes eros, a romantic love between a man and a woman. But recent Disney films – “Frozen” and “Maleficent” – presented a different concept of love that broke the curse – storge, or strong affection, describing relationships within a family. In Frozen, Queen Elsa’s love for her sister, thawed Anna’s frozen heart. Maleficent’s affection for Aurora, whom the former had come to love as a daughter, woke the sleeping beauty.

This year, someone – or something – was awakened from a very deep slumber. The nine-year sleeping spell that had rendered the PDEA Drug Buster, the official newsletter of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, inactive was finally broken!

The Director General issued a directive for the Internal Audit Division to come up with a publication that would serve as the official newsletter for the Agency. This started the ball rolling which initially created a Technical Working Group (TWG) for the PDEA Newsletter and then the Editorial Board. The Editorial Board was presented with a dilemma: to create an entirely new publication or to re-activate and improve the “sleeping” PDEA Drug Buster which launched its maiden – and apparently last – issue in 2005. We decided to revive the “sleeping” PDEA Drug Buster.

But waking the PDEA Drug Buster that had been sleeping for nine years was not an easy task, especially to the volunteers who composed the Editorial Board. V-O-L-U-N-T-E-E-R-S... because on top of their official functions and responsibilities, they have willingly offered their time, skills and talent for the purpose of coming up with a revival issue without expecting additional compensation in return.

Despite the challenges encountered along the way, we moved forward. It was not the common conception of love in the form of eros or storge that finally broke the spell. It was the encouragement manifested by the Director General himself and the common objective of the members which binds the Editorial Board together that compelled us to work for the “revival” of the agency’s official publication to provide information, generate support and mobilize public action against dangerous drugs. We have succeeded in rousing “drug buster” from its deep slumber!

The Editorial Board humbly presents the fruit of our labor – the Revival Issue of the awake and improved PDEA Drug Buster!

…and yes, it was ‘love for the job’ that finally broke the nine-year sleeping spell•

PHILIPPINE DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCYPublisher

EDITORIAL BOARD

Usec. ARTURO G. CACDAC, JR., CESEDirector General, PDEAChairman of the Board

Editorial AdvisersAsec. RENE M. ORBE, Dep. Director General for Administration

Asec. ABE L. LEMOS, Dep. Director General for OperationsDir. GLADYS F. ROSALES, Director, POS

Atty. JACQUELYN DE GUZMAN, Regional Director, RO-NCRDir. DERRICK ARNOLD C. CARREON, Director, PIO/ICFAS

MS. MARLA BRIGITTE M. GALVAN, Chief, IAD-ODG

Ms. Evangeline DJ. Almenario, PECISEditor-In-Chief

Mr. Paolo Victor A. Daculla, RO-NCRAssociate Editor

Mr. Arnel A. Novicio, ODGConsultant

Staff WritersMaritess M. Sierra, PIO|Glenn J. Malapad, PIO|Shiela N. Valmoria, PIO|Odessa T. Woods, POS

Yvonne D. Balares, POS|Elmer Allan S. Morales, IADGay Valerie C. Valmores, IAD|Michael Anthony M. Lim, IAD

Gilford A. Entroliso, IAD

Lay-out ArtistsMa. Judith T. Velasco, IAD

Daniel Donovan M. Concepcion, LPS|Renato S. Reyes, RO-NCR

Photographers:Charlie R. Magno, Ro-NCR| Peter Mar C. Labarosa, ODG

PDEA Bldg., NIA Northside Road, National Government Center, Barangay Pinyahan, Diliman, Quezon City 1100

www.pdea.gov.ph | (02) 927-9702

Providing information,Generating support,Mobilizing action

Against dangerous drugs

5July to September 2014 The Executive Page

STRAIGHT FROM THE DIRECTOR GENERALTreading the PDEA Strategy Map

Since I took over the helm of leadership as Director General of PDEA, the agency has adopted various strategic initiatives in order to become a highly competent and credible organization.

It is PDEA’s intention to ensure that the Filipino people will better feel the Agency’s presence by focusing on high-value targets and high-impact anti-drug operations with the support of local and foreign counterparts, coupled by the active participation of an empowered community led by our local government executives.

As the lead anti-drug agency, PDEA has achieved significant accomplishments in the anti-drug campaign in partnership with the Philippine National Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Bureau of Customs (BOC) and other law enforcement agencies, as well as the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Cooperation with foreign counterparts such as the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (US-DEA), Supreme Prosecutor’s Office of the Republic of South Korea (SPOK) and other international law enforcement counterparts were strengthened to thwart the continuing threat from international drug syndicates.

On human resource development, PDEA adopted a comprehensive training program on specialized and career courses: the Anti-illegal Drug Investigation Course for our investigation agents; the Anti-illegal Drug Intelligence Course for our drug enforcement officers; the PDEA Community-Based Anti-illegal Drug Advocacy Course for Information Officers; and the PDEA Custodial Officers Course for our prison guards. Before the end of the year, we will pilot-test leadership and management courses.

In order to ensure that our systems and procedures are strictly observed, the following manuals were released: The Forensic Chemical Officers Manual; The Airport Interdiction Manual; and The Manual of Operations for the Investigation and Dismantling of Clandestine Laboratory. This is expected to speed up the process of examination of evidence, filing of drug cases and, hopefully, the conviction of suspects.

We also expanded our network with various non-government organizations and business establishments. They became our instant force multipliers in the fight against illegal drugs.

Looking back, it is heartwarming to note that we are successfully treading the PDEA Strategy Map we have formulated in 2013 towards reducing drug-affectation in the country. I enjoin everyone to have a collective vision, to paddle our boat amidst strong currents, towards one direction. Let us all safe guard the nation through effective drug enforcement in the year to come to ensure a healthy and bright future for our people.

trIvIA 1:

Usec. Arturo G. Cacdac, Jr., is a graduate of the Philippine Military Academy Class 1978. Before he became the fourth PDEA Director General in the last quarter of 2012, he was the second most senior official of the Philippine National Police – the Police Deputy Director General for Administration.

PDEA Director General Usec. Arturo G. Cacdac, Jr., CESE

6 July to September 2014Milestones

Changes to anti-drug law address woes on the inventory of seized drugs

The standing issues and challenges faced by drug law enforcers during the conduct of physical inventory of seized drugs have finally been addressed. This came about after President Benigno Aquino III signed into law Republic Act 10640 on June 15, 2014,

amending specific provisions under Section 21 of RA 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

According to Usec. Arturo G. Cacdac, Jr., Director General of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), records maintained by the Agency’s Legal and Prosecution Service (LPS), under Atty. Gil Pabilona, reveal that non-compliance to Section 21 of RA 9165 has been one of the top 10 reasons cited for the dismissal of drug cases and the acquittal of drug suspects.

“For years, PDEA and other law enforcement agencies have been soliciting the aid and support of our lawmakers to amend the rigid application of Section 21 [of RA 9165] to make anti-drug operations, specifically the chain of custody, more realistic and uncomplicated to law enforcers,” Usec. Cacdac said.

RA 10640 specifically amended the provisions of RA 9165 on the custody and disposition of confiscated, seized and/or surrendered dangerous drugs. It is a consolidated version of House Bill No. 2285 and Senate Bill No. 2273. This new law basically addressed the problem usually encountered by the apprehending team when conducting physical inventory of seized evidence.

Positive changes Before, in addition to the accused or his counsel, RA 9165

requires the presence of three witnesses – any elected public official, a representative from the media and the Department of Justice (DOJ) – before the apprehending team can proceed with the physical inventory of seized evidence.

With RA 10640, the number of required witnesses was reduced to only two. Apart from the accused, an elected public official must be with either a representative from the National Prosecution Service (NPS) or the media to serve as witnesses and to sign the inventory. This is expected to help the apprehending team bring together the number of required witnesses a lot easier than before. It also allows the apprehending team to conduct the inventory of confiscated drugs in either of the following locations: the nearest police station, or office of the apprehending team, whichever is more practical. This will not, however, prevent

the apprehending team from conducting the inventory and photograph at the site of arrest and seizure.

This shall guarantee that the seizure and custody over the confiscated items shall not be rendered void or invalid. Likewise, RA 10640 removed the 24-hour time constraint for the issuance of the laboratory results of seized drug evidence. It allows the forensic laboratory examiner more time to ensure that the laboratory tests were done meticulously. This is particularly important when drug evidence endorsed for laboratory examination involves big volume and the 24-hour time-frame would not be sufficient to complete the required tests. In such cases, the new law allows the provisional issuance of a partial report stating the quantity of dangerous drugs still to be tested. Then, upon the completion of the laboratory tests, a final certification will have to be issued by the forensic laboratory examiner.

A welcome developmentUsec. Cacdac considers the amendment as a welcome

development.“The enactment of RA 10640 actually boosted the moral

of our operatives. Now, drug enforcement officers are more motivated to do their jobs, knowing that the law favors law enforcement procedures. The challenge on our drug enforcers now lies on their capability to establish the elements of offense and, of course, preserve the integrity and evidentiary value of the seized items to be presented in court,” Usec. Cacdac said.

Usec. Cacdac expressed grateful appreciation to Senator Grace Poe and Congressman Vicente Belmonte Jr., Chairpersons of Committees on Dangerous Drugs of the Congress for the swift enactment of RA 10640. (with Atty. Gil Pabilona, Director, LPS & Glenn Malapad, PIO)

A PDEA operative conducts on-site

inventory of seized illegal drugs

A PDEA operative interviews an arrested drug personality at the PDEA RO-NCR

7July to September 2014 Milestones

PDEA boosts nationwide forensic capabilityThe Philippine Drug Enforcement

Agency (PDEA) expects to boost its forensic capability now that it has already established laboratories in all its 17 regional offices.

PDEA Director General Undersecretary Arturo G. Cacdac, Jr. announced that PDEA now has the capability to independently conduct analysis on seized drugs and administer drug tests to arrested suspects with its fully operational laboratories nationwide.

“Now our trained chemists can readily conduct quantitative and qualitative examination on dangerous drugs using GCMS, GCFID, or TLC, whichever is available,” Usec. Cacdac said referring to the different equipment that have been primed in the regional offices.

The PDEA Chief said that the Agency’s regional offices in La Union (PDEA-RO1), Iloilo City (PDEA-RO6), Cebu City (PDEA-RO7) and Davao City (PDEA-RO11) have the capability to conduct qualitative and quantitative examination using Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometry (GCMS). According to Director Belen Banog, Director of the PDEA Laboratory Service (LS), GCMS is also crucial in conducting confirmatory drug test to those who are tested positive in screening tests.

On the other hand, the regional office in Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro (RO-4B MIMAROPA) is capable of conducting tests using the Gas Chromatography Flame Ionization Detector (GCFID), an instrument measuring the concentration and purity of confiscated dangerous drugs.

Meanwhile, regional offices in Tuguegarao City, Cagayan (PDEA-RO2), San Fernando City, Pampanga (PDEA-RO3), Calamba City, Laguna (PDEA-RO4A), Legazpi City (PDEA-RO5), Tacloban City (PDEA-RO8), Cagayan De Oro (PDEA-RO10), General Santos City (PDEA-RO12), Butuan City (PDEA-RO13), Zamboanga City (PDEA-RO9), Benguet (PDEA-CAR), and Cotabato City (PDEA-ARMM) can conduct drug forensic examinations using Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC), which is useful in separating organic compounds. TLC is often used to detect, identify and analyze various substances, monitor progress of organic reactions and check the purity of dangerous drugs.

PDEA heads anti-drug task group at CRK Int’l Airport

Usec. Cacdac said that the results of quantitative and qualitative examination on drug evidence are vital during drug investigations. He explained that the speedy issuance of such results would hasten the process of filing drug cases in court.

In the last 11 years, PDEA had only

one forensic laboratory and it is located at the national headquarters in Quezon City. “Now, our capability has expanded into a nationwide scale. The Agency can now facilitate appropriate action on confiscated drugs turned-over to PDEA anywhere in the country without delay,” Usec. Cacdac said. (With Glenn Malapad, PIO)

To efficiently synchronize anti-illegal drug efforts at the Clark International Airport (CRK), the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) heads the CRK Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group (IADITG).

This came about after the PDEA and seven other government agencies - the Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC); Office for Transportation Security (OTS); Bureau of Customs (BOC); Bureau of Immigration (BI); Department of Justice-National Prosecution Service (DOJ-NPS); National Bureau of Investigation (NBI); and the Aviation Security Group of the Philippine National Police (ASG-PNP) – collaborated forces through a Memorandum of Agreement dated August 27, 2014.

The Inter-Agency Drug Interdiction Task Group in CRK International Airport is replicated from a similar drug interdiction task group in the Ninoy Aquino International Airport due to the successful

monitoring of all cargoes and passengers, both incoming and outbound, to safeguard NAIA complex from drug trafficking. CRK-IADITG aims to effectively address the problem on smuggling illegal drugs using CRK International Airport .

Usec Arturo G. Cacdacr, Jr., PDEA Director General serves as the Commander and Executive Officer of the CRK-IADITG. As such, he has authority to supervise the over-all investigation and subsequent filing of drug cases in cooperation with member agencies and coordinate, support and monitor the operational activities of the task group.

The United States Drug Enforcement Agency (US-DEA) and the Joint Inter-Agency Task Force-West (JIATF-W) have thrown their support to the project through funding the establishment of the CRK-Operations Center, equipment provision and trainings. (With Shiela Valmoria, PIO)

The new equipment installed in PDEA laboratories.


QC Vice Mayor leads anti-drug drive, mobilizes City ADACThere is “Joy” in a drug-free QC

To combat the drug problem in Quezon City, the City Anti-Drug Abuse Advisory Council (QC-ADAAC) chaired by Vice Mayor Josefina “Joy” Belmonte, implemented an integrated and comprehensive approach towards an effective mechanism for drug abuse prevention within the city’s grassroots level.

Belmonte ordered a mandatory random drug test for all QC barangay officials and city hall employees. “We believe as public servants, we must live and lead by example to our constituents. Yet, being positive for drugs should not be a source of stigma or discrimination. Instead, we treat drug abuse as a condition that can be overcome,” she said in her speech as Guest of Honor and Speaker during the 12th Anniversary Celebration of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) last July 30, 2014.

The QC-ADAAC established the “Tahanan”, a drug treatment and rehabilitation center for Quezon City residents. At present, “Tahanan” has earned accreditation from the Department of Health (DOH) and the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) as a model in-patient facility for drug dependents. Aside from adopting therapeutic community approach for its in-house clients, Tahanan also conducts regular out-reach missions for street children. Vice-Mayor Belmonte added that Tahanan has

opened a new wing for minors abusing solvents.The QC-ADAAC also designed materials for different target audience: a short film entitled “Salamin ng Buhay”, featuring real-life

stories of reformed drug dependents from Tahanan; and a 30-second public advisory entitled “Sa Droga, Ang May Tama ay Mali” shown during commercial breaks in cinemas in Quezon City.

Vice-Mayor Belmonte assured PDEA Director General Usec. Arturo G. Cacdac, Jr. that the QC-ADAAC “will always be one with PDEA in its vision to provide drug-free communities for the Filipino people”. (with Maritess Sierra, PIO)

PDEA approves accreditation of 11 NGOsThe Philippine Drug Enforcement

Agency (PDEA), approved the accreditation of 11 Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) as official anti-drug partners. This was after the PDEA NGO Accreditation Committee (NGO-ACom), through a resolution, unanimously voted to certify 11 NGOs that successfully satisfied the requirements for accreditation.

The recently accredited NGOs are as follows: Balikatan People’s Alliance; Bantay-Bayan Foundation, Inc.; Federation of Integrated Volunteers and Educators Association, Inc. (BRAD FIVE); Centennial Force Foundation, Inc. (CCFI); Christian Light Foundation, Inc., (CLF); Citizens Crime Watch Special Task Force; Community Crime Watch; Confederation of Community Oriented Policing System (CCOPS); Kabataan Iwas Droga Movement, Inc. (KID); Mission to Help the Poor Association Group, Inc. (MITHOHEPTO); and Prime Movers for Peace and Progress (PRIMO).

“We acknowledge our limitations in promoting the anti-drug advocacy in terms of manpower and financial resources and we welcome the support of NGOs as our

force-multipliers to mobilize the citizenry into action against dangerous drugs,” said Usec. Arturo G. Cacdac, Jr., PDEA Director General.

However, Usec. Cacdac wants to make sure that partnerships with NGOs shall yield maximum benefit for the promotion of the national anti-drug advocacy campaign. He expects to enter into a MOA only with legitimate organizations of good standing, having adequate structure and capability to provide support to PDEA in the implementation of anti-drug programs and projects in the grassroots.

“This hopes to address possible recurrence of problems with NGOs getting involved in unscrupulous activities such as soliciting donations using their affiliation with PDEA. That is why we are exercising caution in choosing potential NGO-partners. We will only enter into a MOA with accredited NGO-Partners,” Usec. Cacdac said.

According to Usec. Cacdac, the 11 NGOs had to undergo a rigid process to meet the standard requirements specified in the procedure for the accreditation of NGOs as partners of PDEA.

First, the NGOs were obliged to submit documentary requirements. Second, NGOs with complete documentary requirements were subjected to background investigation to determine the legitimacy of the organization’s existence, and the adequacy of its structure and capability to provide support to PDEA in promoting the anti-drug advocacy in terms of anti-drug information reporting, community mobilization, civic/anti-drug awareness prevention, mechanism for referral to drug treatment and rehabilitation, and alternative development. Only those NGOs that passed the background investigation were considered eligible for accreditation and endorsed to the NGO-ACom, chaired by the Deputy Director General for Operations (DDGO), Assistant Secretary Abe L. Lemos. Finally, the 100% consensus of the NGO-ACom, through a resolution, is required for the issuance of the Certificate of Accreditation.

The accreditation of NGOs is the first step towards the establishment of a national federation of NGOs to support PDEA’s demand reduction efforts as envisioned by the Director General.•

Networking

PDEA Director General Usec. Arturo G. Cacdac, Jr and Quezon City Vice-Mayor Joy Belmonte.

9July to September 2014 Networking

DG, PDEA connects with QC tanods2,000 tanods briefed on brgy drug-clearing operations

The top man of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) takes on more than two thousand Quezon City Barangay Public Safety Officers (BPSOs), or barangay tanods, in a series of anti-drug lectures to brief them on their specific role in the conduct of drug clearing operations in the grassroots.

PDEA Director General Usec. Arturo G. Cacdac, Jr. took advantage of the invitation by the Quezon City Barangay Operations Center to be one of the resource speakers during the Skills Enhancement Training-Seminar for BPSOs to inform them of the duties and responsibilities of barangay tanods in the conduct of barangay drug clearing operations.

A total of 2,229 tanods designated in the six districts of Quezon City attended and benefitted from the series of anti-drug lectures conducted by Usec. Cacdac from June 30 to August 8, 2014. His lectures focused on the provisions of the Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation No. 2 series of 2007. He discussed in detail the revised guidelines in the conduct of barangay anti-drug operations, highlighting the role of the tanods in protecting their community from the proliferation of dangerous drugs.

BADAC-supportAccording to Usec. Cacdac, tanods play a critical role in supporting Barangy Anti-

Drug Abuse Councils (BADACs) in the implementation of drug prevention programs towards making a community drug-free. BADACs are the local structures established through the issuance of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Memorandum Circular No. 99-236 to strategize and implement programs and projects on drug prevention in the barangay. To help empower BADACs, BADAC Auxiliary Teams were created, mostly composed of tanods.

As members of the BADAC Auxiliary Teams, the tanods are expected to report to BADAC cases concerning suspected illegal drug activities and personalities in the barangay. It may include cases of illegal drug selling, distribution or use, presence of suspected clandestine laboratories and drug dens. Tanods shall also provide assistance in the conduct of anti-drug information campaign in their respective barangay.

The ‘small’ matters in big mattersUsec. Cacdac reminded the tanods that even small things matter in the larger

scheme of things by telling them this story:Every afternoon, a boy walks along the beach. He picks up shells brought ashore by

the waves, one shell at a time. He looks at it intently for a while then he throws it back into the water. A tourist, who had been observing the boy for hours, was amused but intrigued by the boy’s routine.

He asked the boy, “I’ve been watching you for quite a while now. You pick up shells then you just throw it back into the water. Why?”

“The thing inside the shell is still alive. If I don’t throw it back into the water, it will die,” the boy explained.

“Won’t you get tired of doing that? I mean, there are lots of shells in this beach right now and more shells will be washed ashore by the waves. Do you think your effort will matter? I am sure you won’t be able to save them all no matter what you do,” the tourist said.

The boy looked thoughtful for a while, then said, “Maybe to other hundred shells, it won’t. But to that shell I just threw back into the water, it will – because I’ve given it another chance to live.”

Usec. Cacdac admitted that the efforts exerted by BPSOs in the grassroots level may just be – to some – a part of the statistics in the government’s anti-drug accomplishments. But to others, it matters.

“A drug pusher you [barangay tanods] helped arrest and place behind bars would mean less risk of drug abuse among residents of the community where that drug pusher used to operate. To families in that small community, it matters. To the person you have helped and brought for referral to drug rehabilitation centers and to his family, it matters. That individual was given another chance to a life without drugs,” he concluded.•

10 July to September 2014Special Activity

In honor of unsung anti-drug heroes“...Buhay ma’y iaalay kung kailangan

sa tungkuling aming sinumpaan...”

This is precisely what our departed comrades did, those whose names appear in the Honor Wall of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA): FO3 Priscillano Gingoyon (2008); Edward Gautani, Sr. (2009); IO2 Pablo June Jala (2009); IO1 Armand Taneca (2010); IO1 Jesus Ebo (2010); IO1 Rommel Alvarez (2010); and IO2 Louie John Giberson (2012). They all died in the performance of their duty.

This year, another dedicated drug enforcement officer joined the ranks of unsung heroes in the war against illegal drugs: Intelligence Officer 1 Jomar B. Boco who died during the conduct of casing/surveillance operation in Sta. Cruz, Manila on March 8, 2014.

In honor of our unsung anti-drug heroes, PDEA Director General Usec. Arturo G. Cacdac, Jr., together with Asec. Rene M. Orbe, Deputy Director General for Administration, and Asec. Abe L. Lemos, Deputy Director General for Operations, led the wreath-laying ceremony on July 29, 2014, highlighted by the presentation of a post-humus award to the mother of IO1 Boco.

A 21-gun salute was fired as tribute to IO1 Boco and the rest of those who came to be part of the PDEA Honor Wall before him.

They lived up to the last line of the PDEA Hymn and they died

10 tipsters get P5.8M cash as reward(From page 3)

Top three assetsAfter thorough

deliberation by the OPE Reward Committee, Wild Cat received the biggest reward worth P2 million. Wild Cat’s tip resulted in the seizure of 24 kilograms of ephedrine and 27.5 kilograms of shabu, after operatives

implemented a search warrant in Brgy. Tambo, Parañaque City on February 12, 2014.

Alias Spartacus, top two on the list, received P1.15 million cash after providing information that led to the confiscation of 17.48 kilograms of shabu and the arrest two drug personalities during an airport interdiction operation at Zamboanga International Airport on November 8, 2013. At number 3, was Thunder who received P.74 million in exchange of his positive information that resulted in the confiscation of 1.1 kilograms of shabu and the arrest of three drug personalities during a buy-bust operation in Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City on February 27, 2014. Information worth P36.6 million

From 2012 to the third quarter of 2014, the OPE Reward Committee has awarded a total of P36.6 million cash reward to 82 anti-drug tipsters.

“Indeed, P36 million is a large amount of money. But compared to the dangerous drugs worth billions of pesos seized because of the tips from these informants, it is government money put into good use,” Usec. Cacdac said.

Request for continued supportUsec. Cacdac expressed gratefulness to the support provided

by these concerned citizens as the eyes and ears of PDEA in their own barangays, acknowledging the critical role they play in information gathering. He further encouraged the informants and the general public to continue providing information to PDEA. (with Glenn Malapad, PIO)

for a noble cause. But their names will forever be a part of the anti-drug war and their sacrifices, forever etched in the hearts of their family, friends and comrades. (with reports from Gilford Entroliso, IAD)

11July to September 2014 Special Activity

The PDEA-Green revolutionPDEA-green. It is the signature shirt of the men and women

of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). PDEA drug enforcement officers wear this during anti-drug operations. Officers and employees wear this in almost all important agency-activities to impress organizational identity. Through the years, the “PDEA-green” has become the official color of the government’s war against dangerous drugs.

A new shade of greenThis year the word “green” has evolved for PDEA. It used to

be limited as an adjective to describe the prominent PDEA shirt. From being the color-icon symbolizing the anti-drug war waged by PDEA, the Agency now embraces another meaning of “green”.

“Green” is the universal symbol for growth and revival. It encompasses the restoration of the natural environment in the face of climate change. Today, “green” when coupled with PDEA also signifies a verb, a word that denotes initiative to revive the natural balance of the environment by planting trees to help prevent massive soil erosion and flooding.

Green mindA “green” mind fuelled the PDEA-green revolution. “After I

retire, I dream of living a simple life in a farm where I could spend time planting and watching the fruit of my labor bloom and bear fruits,” the aspiring farmer in the PDEA chief revealed.

Under the leadership of Undersecretary Arturo G. Cacdac, Jr., PDEA Director General, the Agency adopted an idle land in Tanay, Rizal, as the Agency’s contribution to the National Greening Program (NGP) in pursuant to Executive Order No. 26, series of 2011.

“I am very grateful to Mayor Rafael Tanjuatco and the local government of Tanay, Rizal for entrusting to PDEA the guardianship of a 10-hectare land in Sitio Tablon, Barangay Cuyambay, Tanay [Rizal] where the officers and personnel of PDEA in the national office and PDEA-National Capital Region can concentrate our tree-planting activity,” Usec. Cacdac said.

The land-adoption was made official through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between PDEA and the local government of Tanay, Rizal on April 21, 2014. The MOA signing came about as a result of the networking initiatives of Director Wilkins M. Villanueva, Director for the Preventive Education and Community Involvement Service (PECIS), with the local chief executive of Tanay, Rizal, Mayor Rafael Tanjuatco. It officially gave birth to the Tanay/PDEA Park.

PDEA greens go greeningA crowd of men and women donned in PDEA-green led by

Usec. Cacdac trekked the rough, muddy and invariably ascending and descending slope towards Tanay/PDEA Park nestled at the basin of Sitio Tablon, Barangay Cuyambay, Tanay, Rizal on July 11, 2014. Partners from the local government of Tanay, Rizal, headed by Dr. Gabriel Piguing, Tanay Municipal Administrator, joined the trek.

The trekkers each carried at least two saplings from a selection of seedlings – mango, pili, caimito, langka, or guyabano

that they were to plant later at the site.This is in compliance with the provision of the NGP that

requires all government employees to individually plant a minimum of ten seedlings a year.

Through the efforts of PECIS, a total of 1,600 seedlings were gathered and earmarked for the Tanay/PDEA Park. Four hundred were provided by the Bureau of Plant Industry (BPI). Pursuant to the agreement with the local government of Tanay, 1,000 were bought from the group of indigenous people in the area. Additional 200 saplings were also donated by the Dumagats to manifest goodwill.

Shortly after arriving at the site following the 20-minute trek, the “PDEA greening” officially began as Usec. Cacdac plotted the first seedling in one of the 1,200 burrows prepared for the activity. The PDEA chief first pressed the soil in the plastic bag holding the seedling before removing the plastic bag and placing the seedling in the designated burrow. Usec. Cacdac then covered the burrow with enough soil and finally, pressed the loose soil on top covering the burrow. According to Engineer Carlos Enofre of the Tanay Municipal Environment and National Resources Office, the procedure would help the roots strengthen its grasp on the soil to keep it sturdy.

Following the example of Usec. Cacdac, officers and personnel in “PDEA green” started the greening of Tanay/PDEA Park.

“Unlike previous tree-planting activities, our responsibility as adoptive parents to this [Tanay/PDEA] park, is not a one-time affair. It is a continuous effort that requires dedication on our part. We must be committed in ensuring that the seedlings that we planted are well-cultivated. This way, in four to five year’s time, we will be able to reap together what we have sown today,” Usec. Cacdac said.•

12 July to September 2014Services and Regions

PDEA operating units receive ‘Natatanging Lingkod Award’PNP-AIDSOTF, QCP-DAID-SOTG recognized for anti-drug support

Usec. Arturo G. Cacdac, Jr., Director General of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), awarded the ‘Natatanging Lingkod Award’ to five PDEA operating units for the conduct of successful anti-drug operations that significantly contributed in suppressing the supply of dangerous drugs in the country.

The five performing operating units received plaques of appreciation from the PDEA chief during the Agency’s regular flag raising ceremony on September 22, 2014. The Special Enforcement Service (SES), and four regional offices (the National Capital Region, RO10, RO11, and RO4A) were cited for ‘the teamwork, commitment and strong sense of determination’ they have demonstrated in executing high-impact operations leading to the arrest of high-value targets’.

The SES was responsible for the discovery and dismantling of two shabu warehouses in San Fernando, Pampanga, the subsequent arrest of four Chinese nationals and the confiscation of shabu and controlled precursors and essential chemicals (CPECs) worth P2.38 billion on September 12, 2014. The Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Task Force of the Philippine National Police (PNP-AIDSOTF) and Police Regional Office 3 were likewise recognized for their significant participation in successful anti-drug operation.

PDEA RO-NCR successfully conducted a buy-bust operation inside a mall in Quezon City on September 8, 2014, which resulted in the arrest of a drug-dealer and the recovery of one kilogram of shabu worth P3 million.

PDEA-RO10 implemented a search

warrant in Ozamis City, Misamis Occidental on September 9, 2014, leading to the confiscation of one kilogram of shabu with an estimated value of P7 million.

The successful buy-bust operation conducted by PDEA-RO11 in Central Poblacion, Kalilangan, on September 12, 2014, resulted in the arrest of five notorious drug personalities in the region and the recovery of 1 kilogram of shabu worth P9 million.

The search warrant implemented by PDEA-4A in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, on September 18, 2014, led to the arrest of two-target listed personalities, the recovery of assorted firearms with ammunition, and the confiscation of one kilogram of shabu worth P1.2 million.

The ‘Natatanging Lingkod Award’ is part of the Agency’s Program on Awards and Incentives for Service Excellence (PRAISE) to its employees in recognition of exemplary performance and operational accomplishments which contribute to operational efficiency.

Meanwhile, Quezon City Police District Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group (DAID-SOTG) received two plaques of recognition for the conduct of two high-impact operations in Quezon City: on August 8, 2014, resulting in the arrest of a Chinese national and the seizure of 1 kilo of shabu worth P3.8 million; and on August 25, 2014, which lead to the confiscation of 13.7 kilos of shabu worth P41 million and the arrest of three notorious drug personalities. •

CS means Client SatisfactionOne of the four missions of the Philippine

Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) as the lead anti-drug agency is to regulate and control the movement of controlled substances listed under Republic Act 9165 and those categorized as such by the Dangerous Drugs Board through Board Issuances.

“Dangerous drugs and controlled chemicals have legitimate uses for medical, scientific research, training, chemical and industrial requirements of the country. PDEA’s responsibility is to prevent unscrupulous drug syndicates from diverting these substances for illegal use and abuse,” PDEA Director General Usec. Arturo G. Cacdac, Jr. said.

To ensure that these substances are not diverted, the Compliance Service (CS) is responsible in enforcing the regulatory control on these substances. CS issues licenses and permits for legal transactions and monitors the same for its proper usage.

Based on 2013 statistics, there was a 9% increase in the number of medical practitioners and companies that have registered and were issued permits for local transactions on dangerous drugs and for importation and exportation. According to Dir. Helen Maita Reyes, who heads CS, a huge part of this is attributed to ‘client satisfaction’ due to streamlined procedures in obtaining licenses and permits. Records show that 86% of client transactions processed by Dangerous Drugs Regulation Officers on S-2 licenses issued to medical practitioners were accomplished within 30 minutes. License To Handle Certificates are released within 10 working days from the date of approval of the application.

As part of PDEA-CS efforts, it established a partnership with the chemical and pharmaceutical industries, known as PDEA-Chemical and Pharmaceutical Industry Organization of the Philippines (CPIOP) which has been very active in conducting joint industry engagements and meetings with stakeholders through the conduct of regulatory information dissemination activities among others.

Chemical Engineer Romy dela Cruz of Mabuhay Vinyl Corporation, a chemical manufacturing company and distributor, is one of the 27, 353 CS clients. He expressed satisfaction over the improvements in the systems and processes being adopted by PDEA, through CS. He said he finds transacting with CS client-friendly and professional. He added that because of this, clients like him do not just comply they cooperate. (with reports from Odessa Woods, POS)


The Civil Service Commission (CSC) has affirmed the dismissal orders issued by the Director General, PDEA against former PDEA agents Arnel Orozco, George Cansancio, Ivy May Akiangan, Moises Arriesgado, and Jonathan Morales.

Orozco and Cansancio were dismissed from the service for Grave Misconduct for having been found positive for drug use. Akiangan and Arriesgado were both dropped from the rolls for their failure to comply with their reassignment orders.

Morales was formally charged for Dishonesty, Grave Misconduct and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service when he retracted his affidavit as arresting officer of accused Albert Chua and Wen Miao and admitted in open court that the evidence against the two accused were planted.

Records show that on May 3, 2010, Morales, together with Agents Antonio Romero and Marvin Mendoza, who were than assigned at the Intelligence and Investigation Service (IIS), conducted an entrapment operation against Albert Chua and Wen Miao at McDonald’s, San Fernando City, Pampanga, for illegal drug trade. Mendoza acted as poseur-buyer and Morales effected the arrest of the suspects. Chua and Miao were criminally charged before the court for violation of RA 9165.

Morales executed an affidavit dated May 4, 2010, stating in detail how the operation was conducted and how Chua and Miao were arrested. He was presented as a witness for the prosecution and affirmed and confirmed his allegations in his affidavit.

Chua and Miao moved that the criminal case against them be dismissed, alleging that there was no lawful entrapment. On November 7, 2012,

Networking

CSC, CA affirm dismissal of PDEA agents

“Public office is a public trust.”

Morales was presented by Chua’s counsel as his witness and, in open court, Morales recanted his testimony and testified that there was no lawful entrapment and that the evidence against Chua and Miao was planted.

Based on said recantation, Morales was formally charged with Dishonesty, Grave Misconduct and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service and, consequently, he was dismissed from the service on November 21, 2013.

Morales’ own admission, that he concealed or distorted the truth about the factual circumstance of the arrest of Chua and Miao. Morales’ earlier statement that the arrest was the result of a lawful arrest and later retracted the same is a tell tale

proof of dishonesty. His action, among others, of planting of evidence is likewise an act of dishonesty because it is contrary to the fact that no illegal drugs was seized nor under the possession of the accused. Said actuation caused serious damage and prejudice to the government as it was forced to prosecute and devote precious time to a case where the evidence being proferred are inadmissible. Morales also gravely abused his authority as a PDEA agent when he fabricated the evidence and illegally arrested private individuals. Thus, Morales’ act qualifies as Serious Dishonesty.”

The CSC dismissed Morales’ appeal for being unmeritorious on July 7, 2014 and also denied his motion for reconsideration on September 9, 2014.

Similarly, the Court of Appeals (CA) dismissed the petition questioning the

dismissal order of former agents Sherwin Holgado, John Benedict Cunanan, Acer Ilustre, Harold Howell Banalagay, Marlon Cayagao, Daniel Dela Cruz, Dale Magpayo and Jomar Quito, who were also found guilty of Serious Dishonesty, Grave Misconduct and Conduct Prejudicial to the Best Interest of the Service for demanding money in exchange for the liberty of Adan Angeles, who was allegedly involved in illegal drug trade.

The appellate Court, citing the case ofGanzon v. Arlos (G.R. No. 174321,

October 22, 2013) explained that: “The Court deems it worthwhile to emphasize as a final word that the imposition of correct disciplinary measure upon erring public officials and employees has the

primary objective of the improvement of the public service and the preservation of the public’s faith and confidence in the Government. The punishment of the erring public officials and employees is secondary, but is nonetheless in accord with the Constitution, which stresses in Section 1 of its Article XI that a public office is a public trust, and the people, whom they serve with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency.”

Since Usec. Arturo G. Cacdac, Jr. assumed office in October, 2012, a total of 15 employees were dismissed, 5 were suspended and 20 were dropped from the rolls.

PDEA continues to investigate allegations of wrongdoing of PDEA officials and employees in its campaign to reform the Agency.

by: Atty. Roselyn Borja, CPA, Director of Internal Affairs Service (IAS)

“… the imposition of correct disciplinary measure upon erring public officials and employees has the primary objective of the improvement of the public

service and the preservation of the public’s faith and confidence in the Government.”


Twice in a row: PDEA awarded as best agencyThe Philippine Drug Enforcement

Agency (PDEA) was adjudged as the top performing agency for the year 2013 among the operations group under the Department of Budget and Management (DBM)

“PDEA bested 15 other government institutions to clinch the coveted rating. The same with the Performance Based Bonus (PBB), the agency is the first among law enforcement agencies to receive the PBB for 2013, and the first among 16 agencies under DBM Bureau D, accomplishing these feats for the second year in a row,” PDEA Director General Undersecretary Arturo G. Cacdac, Jr. said.

According to Usec. Cacdac, the agency successfully met the conditions

set under Administrative Order No. 25, creating an inter-agency task force on the Harmonization of National Government Performance Monitoring, Information and Reporting Systems chaired by the DBM. This entitled PDEA officers and personnel to receive PBB.

PDEA achieved at least 90% of its performance targets for the delivery of Major Final Output, Support to Operations and General Administration and Support Services for 2013.

At the beginning of the year, the agency identified three performance targets to reduce and suppress the supply of dangerous drugs: the number of high-value targets arrested vs. total number of arrested drug personalities per semester;

percentage of successful high-impact operations vs. total number of anti-drug operations conducted per semester; and average percentage of drug-related information reports acted within one hour.

PDEA fully complied with the good governance conditions set by DBM by maintaining a transparency seal, a Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) posting, updated Citizen’s Charter, and complete submission and review of Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Networth (SALNs) of all its personnel.

PDEA also passed the audit requirements and budget utilization rate conducted by the Commission on Audit.(with Glenn Malapad, PIO)

Free medicalassistance

at Chinese Gen Hospitalfor PDEA personnel injured in-line of duty

Personnel of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) who were injured in “line of duty” can get free medical treatment.

PDEA officials and employees assigned at the National Headquarters and those in three regional offices, the National Capital Region, Regions 3 and 4A, who sustained injuries in “line of duty” shall receive appropriate medical treatment, including major surgeries, at the Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center (CGHMC) absolutely for free.

Injured in “line of duty” means an official or employee got hurt or wounded or encountered an accident in the actual performance of official duties.

Undersecretary Arturo G. Cacdac, Jr., PDEA Director General, said the free medical assistance was made possible through the benevolence of the Philippine-Chinese Charitable Association, Inc. (PCCAI), which owns and operates the CGHMC in Sta. Cruz, Manila.

“This [free medical treatment and hospitalization] is our humble contribution to your [PDEA’s] mission to safeguard our country against the drug menace. We hope to encourage our [drug] law enforcers to persevere in their work. We want them to feel confident and secured that a hospital with complete facility is ready to serve them,” said Florante Uy, PCCAI, Chairman of the Board, during the MOA signing with PDEA on December 13, 2013.

The MOA between PDEA and PCCAI was an initiative of the Preventive Education and Community Involvement Service (PECIS), under Director Wilkins M. Villanueva, in an effort to provisionally address the employees’ clamors for a comprehensive medical

PDEA destroys seized drugs worth P2Bfrom page 3

Second-stop: CotabatoDir. Yogi Filemon Ruiz, Regional Director, Autonomous Region

in Muslim Mindanao, supervised the destruction of P3.9 million worth of illegal drugs on May 8, 2014. Said pieces of drug evidence were recovered from operations of the combined forces of PDEA and other law enforcement agencies which operated within the region.

Third-stop: DavaoIn Davao, Dir. Emerson Rosales, Regional Director, PDEA RO11,

initiated the incineration of 84.8 kilos of cocaine worth P508.77 million at HOLCIM Davao Plant. The destroyed cocaine consisted of 69 kilos found in the container yard of Sumifru Philippines Inc. and 15 kilograms inside a MAERSK container van in Sasa Wharf, both in Davao City.

Fourth-stop: back to CaviteOn June 25, 2014, another batch of drug evidence and expired

medicines worth P637.85 million were destroyed by PDEA at the IWMI facility in Trece Martirez City, Cavite.

All the drug evidence were destroyed right before the very eyes of the media, local elected officials and concerned citizens to erase the negative misconception that confiscated drugs are recycled back into the streets. “This is our way of assuring the people we serve that we [PDEA] are serious – that no seized drugs will ever fall into the wrong hands to be reused or recycled. Not under my watch,” Usec. Cacdac said. (with Glenn Malapad, PIO)

insurance. It is a tangible output of the long-standing partnership developed by PECIS with PCCAI which began in 2011.•

Milestones


PDEA gets high with sports

Officers and employees of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) got high with sports as they participated in the PDEA Annual Sports Fest with the theme, “Get high on sports, not on drugs”. The 3-month sports fest, which started on May 27, was part of the Agency’s 12th anniversary celebration.

Twelve teams composed of PDEA officers and personnel from the National Office, the National Capital Region, and the PDEA Academy fought their way through the leader-board in five events: bowling, basketball, badminton, table tennis and fun-shoot competition.

The Blue Team dominated the leader-board bagging four championship trophies besting eleven other teams. The Red and Green Teams follow, each having two championship titles. (With Michael Anthony Lim, IAD)

trIvIA 2:

There are at least 238 substances

included in the Tables

and Schedules of controlled

substances as provided for in

Republic Act 9165

Drug law enforcers by profession, singers at heartInstead of Glocks and Tavors,

microphones were what they had in their hands. Instead of the Quick Response Team (QRT), the Los Caballeros Band of the Philippine Army served as their back-up during the Employees’ Night for the men and women of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on July 30, 2014.

PDEA officers and employees, drug enforcement officers, technical and administrative personnel, front-liners and support group, showcased their talents by rendering their own interpretations of songs and moving rhythmically to the music jazzed-up by the Los Caballeros.

The Director General himself, Usec. Arturo G. Cacdac displayed his prowess as a balladeer when he performed his own rendition of Nonoy Zuniga’s “Doon”, Apo Hiking Society’s “Kabilugan ng Buwan” and Fred Astaire’s “The Way You Look Tonight”. Of course, Asec. Rene M. Orbe, Deputy

Director General for Administration sang his favorite piece “Hanggang” which could have melted even the hardest of hearts. Then, Asec. Abe L. Lemos, Deputy Director General for Operations, serenaded the crowd with his charming wife, Mrs. Lourdes Lemos, with a Carpenters’ original.

It was one of those rare moments when the men and women of PDEA shed-off their anti-drug busters persona to reveal a softer and soulful side.

The Employees’ Night became a night of fun. In the end, it was not about who had the most beautiful singing voice or who had the best performance. It was about men and women getting together, bound not only by their commitment to work – but also of the comradeship developed among them as they perform their official duties and responsibilities as front-liners in the national campaign against illegal drugs. (with Gay Valerie C. Valmores, IAD)

ANTI-DRUG WORDSEARCHBy: Ma. Judith Velasco, IAD

Find 20 substances listed in the tables and schedules included in RA 9165

AcetoneAcetorphineAlfentanilCocaine CodeineCodoxime EcstasyHeroin MarijuanaMethadoneMorphineNoracymethadolOpium OxycodonePethidinePiminodineSufentanilTilidineToluene

T I L I D I N E Z T O L U E N E DA N A U J I R A M I Q O C N E R ON U R C O D O X I M E F Z O D N XD I A H E G L Z K A E C S T A S YE W O S C T Q D M R N Y P E L Z YJ N A R D R O F O L I T D C F P CN H O D E J S R R A D O I A E M OE N I D I H T E P B O K T Q Y G DN A L L A G F Y H H N B H P A X OI Q I B V T C E I O I Z Q U N P NA S U M H N H J N A M N K O I Q EC C O D E I N E E V I T E U L H PO R L B X N M K M I P C M V R Z LC E K I M V W S U F E N T A N I LN O R A C Y M E T H A D O L V S E

Light Moments

Singers all, from left: Usec. Arturo G. Cacdac, Jr., PDEA Director General; Asec. Rene M. Orbe, Deputy Director General for Administration; and Asec. Abe L. Lemos, Deputy Director General for Operations (with wife, Lourdes).


PDEA on the right trackAnchored on the President’s marching order, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) prioritized its operational focus

on the conduct of high-impact operations which would lead to the arrest of high-value targets including personalities and facilities involved in the manufacture, production, distribution and smuggling of illegal drugs in big volumes.

“PDEA may not possess the same vast resources at its

disposal, but we are prepared to put up a good fight.”

PDEA Director General Usec. Arturo G. Cacdac, Jr. said that from January to September 2014, a total of 11,066 anti-drug operations conducted through the combined efforts of PDEA and other law enforcement agencies resulted in the arrest of 8,428 drug personalities – out of which, the following were considered as high-value targets: 38 foreign nationals, 42 elected officials, 37 law enforcers, and 60 government employees. A total of 9,844 drug cases were subsequently filed in court, while dangerous drugs and chemicals worth P4.1 billion were recovered. Also notable is the eradication of 324 sites for marijuana cultivation and the dismantling of illegal drug facilities.

From 2010-2011, the annual average of arrested high-value targets was just above 3%. From 2012 to present, annual percentage of arrested high-value targets vis-à-vis total arrest recorded improved to 5%. With three more months to go before year 2014 ends, it is expected that the figure would further improve.

High-impact operations concentrated on the source of drug supply – from local production (through clandestine laboratories) complemented by smuggling of finished products (by drug couriers) – yielded increase in the volume of shabu seized.

Confiscated shabu in 2013 increased by 647% at 837 kilos. Going into the last quarter of 2014, the combined volume of shabu recovered by authorities already tipped the scale at 660 kilos. It is very likely that by the end of the year, the numbers would further increase.

What the numbers sayThe numbers speak for themselves. Consolidated data on

anti-drug accomplishments from 2010 to present depict a varying trend. From 2010 to 2012 a steady increase in the number of operations conducted has been observed but a relative decline in the same area was recorded from 2012 to 2013, extending to the first three quarters of 2014. This may be attributed to the agency’s strategic shift with preference in the conduct of high-impact operations over more street-level operations with less community impact. The annual average of arrested drug personalities belonging to the category which includes financiers, chemists and operators of clandestine laboratories, operators of drug dens, and protectors has been observed to be steadily gaining.

Network warPDEA recognizes the capacity and capability of international

drug syndicates fueled by vast financial resources and intricate web of illegal network at their disposal.

“PDEA may not possess the same available resources at its disposal, but we are prepared to put up a good fight. We have posted a good start. With our most potent weapon – the interlinked network of government institutions, law enforcement agencies, international counterparts, private organizations, the communities and concerned citizens bound by one vision – we are on the right track. This is not just about PDEA’s war against drug syndicates. It is about ‘network war’,” the PDEA chief said.(with report from Yvonne D. Balares, POS)

16

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pGeneral Usec. Aeptember 201cted through torcement agenalities – out gh‐value targe22 law enfol of 9,844 drugangerous drugered. Also nota cultivation aluding a cland

n the Presides on the conalities and fac

s say peak for themishments fromom 2010 to 2tions conductethe same are

o the first three agency’s strgh‐impact operss community ersonalities bes, chemists aators of drug dadily gaining.

ay not possets disposal, put up a goo

Opera

Arturo G. Cacd14, a total of the combined ncies resultedof which, theets: 28 foreigorcers, and g cases were sugs and chemitable is the erand the dismadestine laborat

ent’s marchinnduct of highcilities involve

mselves. Consom 2010 to pr2012 a steady ed has been a was recordeee quarters of ategic shift wirations over mimpact. The

elonging to thend operators dens, and prot

ss the same but we are p

od fight.”

ational Acc

dac, Jr. said th11,066 anti‐drefforts of PD in the arrest e following wegn nationals, 43 governmeubsequently filcals worth P4radication of 3antling of illegtory, warehou

ng order, thh‐impact opeed in the man

olidated data resent depictsincrease in tobserved buted from 2012 2014. This mth preference more street‐leve annual averae category whiof clandesti

tectors has be

available prepared to

complishme

‐

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

‐

500

1,000

hat rug DEA of

ere 24 ent led 4.1 317 gal use

he Philippine erations whicnufacture, pro

Fromtargetspercentarecordedyear 201improve

Highsupply –complemcouriers)Confis

Going inshabu rekilos. It would fu

on a he t a to

may in vel ge ich ne en

NetworkPDEA

drug synweb of il“PDEA

disposal,posted interlinkagenciescommunare on tdrug syn(with repor

ents

2010

OCY

63

2010

ShabuCY 20

Drug Enforch would leaoduction, dis

m 2010‐2011, was just aboage of arrested improved to 14 ends, it is. h‐impact opera– from local promented by sm) – yielded incrcated shabu nto the last qecovered by ais very likely turther increase

k‐war recognizes thndicates fueledllegal networkA may not pos, but we are pa good start. ed network ofs, internationanities and conche right track.ndicates. It is arts from Yvonne D

Ju

2011 20

Operations ConY 2010 to Jan‐S

254 1

2011 2

Seizure in K010 to Jan‐Se

cement Agenad to the artribution and

the annual avove 3%. Fromed high‐value 5%. With thres expected tha

ations concentoduction (thromuggling of frease in the voin 2013 increuarter of 201uthorities alrethat by the ene.

e capacity and by vast finaat their disposssess the samprepared to pu With our m

f government ial counterpartscerned citizen This is not juabout ‘networ

D. Balares, POS)

uly to Septe

12 2013

nducted Sep 2014

112

837

2012 2013

Kilograms ept 2014

ncy (PDEA) rest of high‐d smuggling o

verage of arresm 2012 to ptargets vis‐à‐vee more monthat the figure

trated on the ugh clandestinfinished prodolume of shabuased by 647%4, the combineady tipped thnd of the year

d capability oncial resourcesal. me available reut up a good fmost potent wnstitutions, laws, private orgas bound by onust about PDEArk‐war’,” the P

ember 2014

Jan‐Sep 2014

7 660

Sept 2014

prioritized it‐value targetof illegal drug

sted high‐valueresent, annuavis total arreshs to go beforewould furthe

source of drugne laboratoriesucts (by drugu seized. % at 837 kilosned volume ohe scale at 660r, the number

of internationas and intricate

esources at itfight. We haveweapon – thew enforcemenanizations, thene vision – weA’s war againsDEA chief said

4

ts ts gs

e al st e er

g s) g

s. of 0 s

al e

s e e t e e st d.

16


Aoperincluin big

WhatThe


res


drug dens.









Opera






od fight.”

ational Acc




tectors has be


complishme

‐

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

‐

500

1,000

hat rug DEA of






on a he t a to


NetworkPDEA



ents

2010

OCY

63

2010

ShabuCY 20




Ju

2011 20


254 1

2011 2







D. Balares, POS)

uly to Septe

12 2013

nducted Sep 2014

112

837

2012 2013

Kilograms ept 2014





ember 2014

Jan‐Sep 2014

7 660

Sept 2014






4

ts ts gs

e al st e er

g s) g

s. of 0 s

al e

s e e t e e st d.

16


Aoperincluin big

WhatThe


res


drug dens.









Opera






od fight.”

ational Acc




tectors has be


complishme

‐

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

‐

500

1,000

hat rug DEA of






on a he t a to


NetworkPDEA



ents

2010

OCY

63

2010

ShabuCY 20




Ju

2011 20


254 1

2011 2







D. Balares, POS)

uly to Septe

12 2013

nducted Sep 2014

112

837

2012 2013

Kilograms ept 2014





ember 2014

Jan‐Sep 2014

7 660

Sept 2014






4

ts ts gs

e al st e er

g s) g

s. of 0 s

al e

s e e t e e st d.


324

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