New PDEA chief Villanueva: New protocols to be implemented in drug ops; lives of drug agents must be protected

Newly-appointed Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) director general Wilkins Villanueva on Wednesday said there would be new protocols in the conduct of anti-illegal drugs operations, especially in this time of coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV, Villanueva said the agency wants to assure the safety of their anti-narcotics agents from the disease.

"Malaking challenge sa amin kasi magkakaroon kami ng bagong protocol on how to conduct anti-drug operations..." Villanueva said. "'Yun ang ifo-formulate pa namin."

"Ang unang iko-consider kasi namin 'yung buhay ng mga ahente namin... although 'yung target identification, in such a way na halimbawa, sampu ang target natin sa isang lungsod titingnan muna natin kung 'yung mga target ba na ito ay nakalagay sa may mga COVID-identified personalities," Villanueva said.

According to the new PDEA chief, the anti-illegal drugs agency will prioritize areas where there is no case of COVID-19. He said PDEA needs to protect their agents as there are only a few of them nationwide.

"Doon muna kami pupunta sa mga targets na walang COVID kasi marami namang target eh. Uunahin muna namin 'yung walang COVID," Villanueva said.

"Priority muna 'yung buhay ng tao. Kakaunti lang kami eh. Kami 'yung pinakakaunting enforcement agency sa buong Pilipinas. Talagang aalagaan namin ang buhay ng tao," Villanueva said, adding that PDEA personnel across the country are just less than 2,000.

Half of that number are performing administrative duties, Villanueva said.

Villanueva said PDEA agents would conduct training on their plan to implement new protocols.

"Pag-aresto, di kami magfaface-to-face sa tao. Diba sa droplets nakukuha? Siguro likod-likod or what so magkakaroon talaga kami ng training..." he said.

Meanwhile, Villanueva said he already talked to former PDEA chief Aaron Aquino, who is appointed to lead the Clark International Airport Corporation, to discuss the guidelines of leading the agency.

Villanueva is not new in implementing drug operations as he was the PDEA Northern Mindanao chief prior to his new post. He also served as the head of PDEA - National Capital Region.

Villanueva also warned drug personalities to stop their illegal acts especially in this time of health crisis.

"Ang mensahe ko lang sa ganitong situation sana tumigil tayo kasi 'yung ayuda ng pamilya ninyo eh ginagamit niyo pa sa pagshashabu.  Kung maipapakain niyo na lang sa mga anak niyo..." he said.

"Kung di tayo magbabago, eh finals tayo magkikita niyan... Pag naguniporme na ko, yari na tayo diyan," Villanueva added. — RSJ, GMA News