PDEA to follow rule of law, but won’t hesitate to use self-defense when necessary — spokesperson

Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) will follow the rule of law in their new role in the government's war on drugs, but will engage in self-defense should the situation call for it, PDEA spokesperson Derrick Carreon said Thursday.

"Ang pangyayari po kasi during operations cannot be predicted, but of course we follow the marching orders of the President, who said that the drug problem has to be stopped by all means that the law allows. The fight will be relentless, and it will be sustained," Carreon said in an interview on GMA News' Unang Balita.

Carreon drew the focus on "by all means that the law allows."

"...Meaning we will follow the rule of law in conducting our operations, definitely ma'am, iiwasan natin hangga't maaari na magkaroon ng armed confrontation, but if and when the situation calls for it, our agents, just like our counterparts from the police, and other law  enforcement agencies, kailangan po naming ipagtanggol ang aming mga sarili, ang aming mga kasamahan at lalong lalo na po yung mga tao na nasa paligid namin habang kami'y nagsasagawa ng operations," he said.

Carreon's remark was a response to a question on whether the PDEA-led anti-drug operations will see a reduced casualty count, since its police-led counterpart has constantly been assailed for its violence.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday signed a memo tasking the PDEA as the "sole agency" to conduct anti-illegal drugs campaigns and operations.

PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino earlier said he "didn't ask for it," and that his agency, with only more than a thousand agents, will still need assistance from the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Focus on ‘high-impact operations’

Meanwhile, Carreon echoed statements made by PDEA Director General Aquino that PDEA operations will focus on "priority targets" and "high-impact operations" given their lack of manpower.

"Sabi nga po ni Director General Aquino, kaya po yan, kakayanin dahil ang kailangan po natin is to focus on yung mga priority targets po natin. Alamin po natin kung sino-sino dapat yung hulihin upang mabawasan yung supply sa iba't ibang lugar po while focusing on yung tinatawag nating high-impact operations.

High-impact operations include the identification and dismantling of shabu laboratories, chemical storage places, marijuana plantations, drug dens, and shabu tiangges, among others, said Carreon.

Carreon, like Aquino, also said the PDEA will still rely on assistance from the PNP and local government units during their operations.

"...That is exactly the statement of our director general, when he said na ang mangyayari po rito, kami po ang lead, kami ang mangunguna, hindi naman po bawal na kunwari habang kami'y nag-ooperate sa isang lugar, ang may hawak ng perimeter ay ang lokal na pulis," he said.

Carreon also reiterated PDEA chief Aquino's claimed preference for rehabilitation of drug users, and mentioned the Barangay Drug Clearing Program, which he said is primarily implemented by LGU, barangay officials, with assistance from law enforcement agencies. — Nicole-Anne C. Lagrimas/RSJ, GMA News