PDEA seeks help from int’l counterparts to fight online drug trade

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has reached out to its international counterparts including the US Drug Enforcement Agency (USDEA) for assistance in the fight against online drug trafficking.

This was according to PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino, who told Super Radyo dzBB on Saturday that the Philippines was still behind when it comes to stopping the drug trade which he said has become prevalent on the "dark web."

"Kung titignan mo, medyo late tayo pagdating sa mga gan'yang technology kaya medyo hirap tayo, kaya nagre-request kami ng training sa ating mga international counterparts para ma-providan kami ng knowledge on how to do the operations," Aquino said.

The PDEA chief said the USDEA was among the agencies they have sought additional training from.

"Mas mahirap talaga yun kasi mas madali kung kunwari pupunta ka sa street, bibili ka, mas madali kang mahuli doon, so mas madaliing hulihin yon. pero yung online," Aquino said.

"Kaya nga nagrerequest kami sa USDEA...at iba pang bansa kung puwede kaming ma-provide-an ng knowledge atsaka training dito para maging capacitated atsaka knowledgeable kami sa lahat ng mga operation kung papaano ginagawa," he added. — Margaret Claire Layug/MDM, GMA News