PDEA awards P5 million to six drug informants

Six people on Friday received a total of P5 million in reward money from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for their help in catching suspects engaged in the illegal drugs trade. The anti-drug agency granted the reward to the six individuals who took part in the agency's "PDEA Operation: Private Eye" during its eighth anniversary celebration. "These concerned citizens provided vital information that aided PDEA and other drug law enforcement agencies in the conduct of anti-drug operations against high value targets," said the PDEA in a statement, without identifying the individuals for security reasons. Also at Friday’s event, the PDEA gave GMA News anchor Mike Enriquez, host of television program Imbestigador, a non-cash award. Nine government officials also received the "PDEA Director General's Award" during the celebration. They include several lawmakers such as Rep. Roque Ablan, chairman of the House Oversight Committee on Dangerous Drugs, and Sen. Vicente "Tito" Sotto III, former chairman of the Dangerous Drugs Board. During the celebration, PDEA director general and Senior Undersecretary Dionisio Santiago highlighted his agency's accomplishments ever since it was created in July 30, 2002. Earlier, the PDEA landed a spot on the "Top 10 Least Corrupt Agencies of the Philippine Government" based on a 2009 Global Competitiveness Survey Report. "This feat is unusual for a law enforcement agency, but our continuous cleansing of ranks and anti-corruption initiatives catapulted us to the height of positive public perception," he said. –VVP, GMANews.TV