By YUL MALICSE
A total of P50.6-billion worth of illegal drugs, chemicals, and equipment were seized, while 31 clandestine illegal drug laboratories, 21 ketamine laboratories, and 25 chemical storage facilities were dismantled from August 2002-July 2006 by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and other law enforcement units under its operational supervision.
In his report to President Arroyo on PDEA’s four-year accomplishments, Senior Undersecretary Dionisio R. Santiago, PDEA director general, said that during the period, a total of 89,525 violators of the anti-illegal drugs law — Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the "Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002" — were arrested.
Santiago said 59,850 drug cases were filed and a total of 4,015 drug personalities were "convicted."
However, despite these, Santiago vowed to up the tempo in the battle against illegal drugs, saying he still is not contented.
"We still cannot rest yet on our laurels. Drug syndicates, their coddlers, protectors, and financiers, are always on the prowl, refining and finetuning their strategies and tactics, and learning from their past mistakes," he said.
|
