PDEA sets up office inside NBP to curb drug trade in prison

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Tuesday inaugurated its liaison and coordinating office within the New Bilibid Prison Reservation in Muntinlupa City in an effort to rid the proliferation of illegal drugs inside the penitentiary.

In a report on Super Radyo dzBB by Mao dela Cruz, PDEA has also signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) to strengthen the cooperation between the two agencies in terms conducting anti-illegal drugs campaign and operations.

PDEA director general Aaron Aquino and BuCor officer-in-charge retired Chief Superintendent Valfrie Tabian were present during the inauguration and blessing of the office as well as in the ceremonial signing of the MOA.

Under the MOA, PDEA was given the power to conduct its anti-illegal drugs operation or Oplan Greyhound inside the prison facilities of the BuCor.

Another provision allows PDEA to set up offices in all BuCor prison facilities which include the Correctional Institution for Women in Mandaluyong City, Davao Prison and Penal Farm in Panabo, Davao, Iwahig Prison and Penal Farm in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Sablayan Prison and Penal Farm in Occidental Mindoro, Leyte Regional Prison in Abuyog, Leyte, and San Ramon Prison and Penal Farm in Zamboanga City.

Meanwhile, Aquino said that all cellular phones seized in their greyhound operations would be subjected to forensic examination.

President Rodrigo Duterte on October 11 tasked the PDEA as the "sole agency" to lead the war on drugs.

PDEA in October said that it also plans to open offices inside the Bureau of Customs within the coming months. —NB, GMA News