Aguirre: NBI back in war on drugs

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II has instructed the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to aid the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in anti-narcotics operations in compliance with President Rodrigo Duterte's new directive.

Aguirre said Wednesday he issued a department order "directing the NBI to resume its anti-illegal drugs operations," a day after Duterte brought back the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other law enforcement agencies into the fold.

Duterte's decision came nearly two months after he designated PDEA the sole agency handling the drug war.

Apart from the PNP and NBI, also to resume active support to the PDEA are the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Bureau of Customs, and the Philippine Postal Corporation.

Malacañang said that "public clamor" for PNP's return to the drug war and PDEA's lack of resources were among the reasons why Duterte brought the police back into the anti-illegal drugs campaign. — BM, GMA News