Las Piñas solon backs PDEA call for national anti-drug task force

MANILA, Philippines — Las Piñas Rep. Mark Anthony Santos has endorsed the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency’s (PDEA) request to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for the creation of a national task force to intensify the crackdown against illegal drugs. 

According to Santos on Sunday, the recent reports that a Filipino allegedly smuggled 521 kilograms of suspected methamphetamine from Laos bound for the Philippines underscore the need to establish a National Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force. Foreign authorities said that the Filipino passenger was believed to be aboard a private jet booked for US$49,500 or P3.1 million. 

READ: BARMM politicians, 10 others under probe over Laos drug seizure

Article continues after this advertisement

Santos, the chairperson of the House committee on dangerous drugs, said that the proposed national task force will provide stronger inter-agency coordination and close monitoring of international drug trafficking networks that may exploit private flights to smuggle illegal drugs into the country. 

FEATURED STORIES

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

NEWSINFO

“The committee believes that the DILG’s technical inputs will be crucial in ensuring that the proposed Task Force has a clear mandate, effective operational structure, well-defined agency responsibilities, and workable mechanisms for coordination and accountability,” Santos said in a press release. 

Santos then pointed out how the envisioned national task force under the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs, in line with Executive Order No. 15, series of 2017, has still not been implemented. 

READ: Mindanao politician linked to Laos drug case faced past drug cases – PNP

He also raised concerns about the groups of individuals facilitating and financing the alleged smuggling attempt of the illegal drugs.

Article continues after this advertisement

“The seizure of illegal drugs worth billions of pesos highlights the need for a more coordinated and intelligence-driven campaign against illegal drugs. We must strengthen our capacity to track drug syndicates, identify their financiers, and protect our country from becoming a destination for international drug shipments,” the lawmaker added. 

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said it summoned more than 21 individuals to give statements regarding the Laos drug seizure. PNP Spokesperson Col. Allen Co noted that individuals are “not necessarily involved directly” and are subpoenaed “for them to hear their side, and to exercise their right to be heard.” /jpv