DEPUTIZATION of police officers as anti drug agents start this week, reveals the local office of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to the discomfort of people whose interests are now threatened by the additional narcotic enforcement man power. At the weekly Kapihan sa PIA, the PDEA, through Intelligence officer Steven Valles said they welcome the move as it increases the manpower by lending its authority to the towns based local law enforcement officers. While a deputized police officer can not go on operations without coordinating with the PDEA, Valles said the new deputized narc agents in uniform can apprehend and raid as long as they can get a raid control number from the regional office, one that the local office can facilitate. Survey indicates that Boholanos do not consider drugs as a huge problem, nevertheless, the PDEA has already netted 11 convictions, reads Valles from his reports.

PDEA is now into aggressive demand reduction by going into information awareness campaigns and rounding schools to discuss on the ill effects, symptoms of drug use and how communities can do their share to stop the menace. This is amidst intelligence reports that illegal drugs continue to enter Bohol through the northwesthern towns facing Cebu. As regards deputization, Valles said the training set this august 10 to 14 would include the standard operating procedures for police as quasi-drug interdiction agents. He said most drug cases that get dismissed in court involves technicality proceedings and are being extensively used by depends lawyers.

PDEA however said that pending the finalization of memorandum of agreement among the PNP, PDEA, PIIB and other drug enforcement agency and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines and Capitol, the legal assistance for effective law enforcement program may not be totally be available for officers who get entangled with the law while performing their duties. He added that owing to the undermanned PDEA, the office accepts independent reports and information from well-meaning citizens about drug related operations. He assured that the information passed would be treated with confidentiality. (PIA)