DDB welcomes its 'steadfast partner' Wilkins Villanueva as new PDEA chief

The Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) on Wednesday welcomed the appointment of Wilkins Villanueva as the new head of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). 

In a press statement, the DDB underscored that Villanueva has been a "steadfast partner" of the agency in the fight against illegal drugs even during Villanueva's early years in PDEA. 

"DDB has involved him in many of its anti-drug efforts particularly in policy formulation and strategy development aspects which helped craft many of its inter-agency priorities all these years," the DDB said.

"DDB intends to engage more closely and deepen the collaboration with his leadership noting that he will become an ex-officio member of the board," it added.

Villanueva was named as the 7th director general of PDEA. He said new protocols would be implemented in the anti-illegal drugs operation as the country is also facing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. 

Villanueva, who served as PDEA Northern Mindanao head prior to his new post, also stressed that lives of drug agents will always be protected during operations. 

Meanwhile, DDB also thanked former PDEA chief Aaron Aquino for his service in the anti-illegal drugs agency. The DDB also wished him well on his new post as the chief of the Clark International Airport Corporation. —KG, GMA News