PDEA to set up offices inside Bilibid, BOC —spokesperson

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency will set up offices at the Bureau of Customs and the Bureau of Corrections now that it has taken back its lead role in the government's anti-drug operations, said its spokesperson on Saturday.

In an interview on radio dzBB, PDEA Public Information Office Chief Derrick Carreon said Director General Aaron Aquino met with BuCor officials on Thursday to discuss plans for a PDEA office inside the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.

"Tumulak po siya (Aquino) sa Bureau of Corrections para makipag-pulong sa direktor ng BuCor...Nasa usapan po, katulad ng Bureau of Customs, ay bibigyan tayo po ng opisina sa loob ng BuCor," said Carreon.

He added these offices may be set up "hopefully within the coming months, until early November eh mag-materialize yan."

Carreon said the PDEA, in its leadership role in the government's campaign against illegal drugs, will hold office at the BuCor and the BOC because these areas are "critical" areas for drug activity.

"Magkakaroon nga po ng dedicated office ang PDEA dito po sa mga tanggapan ng mga ahensyang ito dahil kritikal, dito nga po napapaulat na naglilipana ang illegal drug activities, whether yung nagmamando or nagpapalusot through smuggling, nariyan po lahat," he said.

Customs Chief Isidro Lapeña formerly headed the PDEA.

President Rodrigo Duterte on October 11 tasked the PDEA to lead the war on drugs.

PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino vowed anti-drug operations under his lead will be "less bloody." — Nicole-Anne C. Lagrimas/MDM, GMA News