PDEA dangles P500T reward anew

CEBU, Philippines - The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 7 dangled anew the P500,000 reward money for those who can lead authorities to shabu laboratories in Cebu.

PDEA 7 Assistant Director Esperidion Javier said the last time the reward was given was in 2004, following a successful anti-drugs operation.

Javier, who served as guest speaker of yesterday's activity of the Kiwanis Club of Cebu, said intelligence monitoring points to "potential" shabu laboratories here, but information needs to be validated.

"Most probably daghan diri, but puro pa lang allegations for now (There are many here, most likely, but they remain allegations for now)," Javier said.

There are reportedly two classifications of clandestine shabu laboratories in the country: large scale and kitchen types.

Javier said the P500,000 is just the base amount because the money may go bigger depending on the amount of shabu seized. In 2004, for example, the tipster received a total of P4 million.

Javier reiterated his appeal for the community to help authorities fight big-time drug traders. He said they will leave small time street pushers to the police. He assured that PDEA can assure the safety of anyone who can provide information.

He also appealed yet again to mayors to provide PDEA information about illegal drugs activities within their jurisdiction. He said that with PDEA's limited number of personnel in the region, the agency needs the help of local government units and other law enforcers.

In the first half of this year, PDEA 7 carried out 390 anti-drugs operations, arrested 562 persons, and filed 632 cases in court.

On a national scale in 2012, data showed that PDEA conducted 9,885 operations; arrested 10,159 persons, including 65 foreign nationals; and seized P2.42 billion worth of shabu. (FREEMAN)