PDEA Cordillera Seeks Additional Personnel to Boost Anti-Drug Efforts
-Art Dumlao- — September 25, 2024
BAGUIO CITY (September 25, 2024) -- The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Cordillera is hoping its national headquarters will send additional personnel to further enhance its efficiency in illegal drugs war.
PDEA Cordillera spokesperson Roselle Sarmiento said there are only less than 300 anti-drug agents in the highland region.
This number even includes the administrative personnel.
Sarmiento explained that said that the less than 300 PDEA Cordillera personnel are distributed in the six provinces, some in municipalities and two cities of the region.
They are expecting additional manpower, Sarmiento added, with the recent graduation of new drug enforcement officers at the PDEA Academy.
On September 17, 2024, 99 new agents are added to the PDEA roster, after they graduated from the Drug Enforcement Officers' Basic Course (DEOBC).
The graduates belong to the 2024-21 "Sanhiraya" (Sinanay na mga Ahenteng Nangarap at Hinirang Upang Ipagpatuloy ang Responsibilidad na Labanan ang Drogang Hadlang sa Pagyabong ng Bagong Pilipinas) Class.
Sarmiento said that although their Cordillea regional offices has enough equipment for its operations, they need to be upgraded to be more efficient.
She added that the agents, especially the operatives, are continuously undergoing trainings to be more effective in performing their tasks.
