Task force vs. illegal drugs in the works – PDEA chief Lapeña

A task force that will assist the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the government’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs is now being created, PDEA Director General Isidro Lapeña said Wednesday. 

“There is a task force that will be created, that will replace ‘yung AIDG (Anti-Illegal Drugs Group)  of the PNP. It will assist the PDEA in its role in the campaign against illegal drugs,” Lapeña said in a television interview.

He has yet to elaborate on the composition of the task force.

Lapeña said they will also engage the services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

“We are now in the process of talks and planning and when this will be finalized we will let you know, this is together with the AFP,” he said.

He said the AFP will be giving the personnel complement in the anti-illegal drug campaign.

“As you know the drug problem has been elevated to a national security threat, that is now the basis for the employment of the AFP in this campaign now. At present we are having talks with the AFP on their role in this campaign,” he said. 

He said that at present, PDEA has regional offices across the country and they intend to put up their provincial offices to improve coordination at the provincial level. 

Lapeña said the PNP will still help them but only for the gathering of the information.

“The information will be relayed to us, the PDEA, and the complement of the AFP and the task force that will be created will be our operating unit on the ground,” he said.

Peter Lim

Meanwhile, the PDEA chief said the government probe against suspected drug lord Peter Lim continues.

“There is a report that he (Lim) is out of country at present but the investigation is still ongoing. It is the NBI who is having the investigation on his activities on illegal drugs,” he said.

He added they are probing other activities of Lim.

“Yes, of course (he is a priority). In fact, we have on the list other activities higher than the normal anti-illegal drugs operations. I cannot tell you but this is ongoing,” he said. — Amita Legaspi/RSJ, GMA News