PDEA-11 building up case vs party drugs dealer, barangay officials in Davao

THE DAVAO regional office the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-11) is building up a case against an individual who is bringing in and distributing party drugs, mainly in Davao City. PDEA Regional Director Antonio E. Rivera, in a media forum, declined to name the suspect, but said the person has been under surveillance for three months now. “Aside from ecstasy, he is also selling party drugs such as a combination of ecstasy and Viagra,” Mr. Rivera said. PDEA-11 is also monitoring two barangay chairmen and three kagawads in the region for involvement in the illegal drug trade. “They are users and some protectors,” he said. Meanwhile, Mr. Rivera said the supply volume in the region has declined largely due to the activation of the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADAC).
“I am happy to tell you this is one of the reasons why volume of the supply of drugs in Davao Region is not that huge because we empower the barangay, especially on BADAC,” he said. “The most challenging in terms of implementation are those barangays in the urban areas,” he added. The PDEA official said they have already intensified security measures at the Davao International Airport and at the seaport, the main entry points of illegal drugs in the region. — Maya M. Padillo