PDEA Needs 400 More Agents to Be Effective in Drug War

An official of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 7 on Thursday said the agency needs about 400 additional agents to be more effective in the drug war.

PDEA 7 director Yogi Filemon Ruiz said, “people are now expecting a lot from PDEA.”

PDEA is now at the forefront of the war against drugs after Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa on Monday suspended all police anti-narcotics efforts while they cleanse the ranks of rogue policemen.

Dela Rosa also disbanded the PNP Anti-Illegal Drugs Group (AIDG) following the kidnapping and slaying of Korean businessman Jee Ick-joo in the hands of rogue policemen inside Camp Crame.

But Ruiz said the agency can only go after “high-value targets” because of their limited manpower.

He said anyone who wants to be a PDEA agent should be from 21 to 35 years old, 5’2” in height for males; 5 feet in height for females, a bachelors degree holder and eligible for Career Service Second Level Position.

Ruiz said the qualified candidates will be trained by the PDEA Academy.

“Anyone who wants to join us may visit us at our office,” Ruiz said. (PNA)FPV/EB/EDS