DAVAO CITY – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Region 11 reported that at present they have not monitored any drug laboratory in the city after Davao City Mayor and presidential aspirant, Rodrigo Duterte revealed that they have received information on a purported raid in the city at a drug laboratory to taint his candidacy.
PDEA 11 director Adzhar Albani said they have received information before about a drug laboratory in the city but after verification, they found no drug laboratory.
Albani, in a press conference on Wednesday, also clarified that drug-related operations in Davao region which will be conducted by other units should be coordinated with them.
“They should inform me, otherwise I will disown them,” he said.
Albani said an operation that is not coordinated is “illegal”.
On Monday, Duterte said the alleged drug laboratory is meant to discredit the anti-drug campaign in the city. The mayor alluded to his political rivals as those behind the black propaganda.
Albani said he has spoken with PDEA Director General Arturo Cacdac Jr on Tuesday night to relay the information.
He also cited Republic Act 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 which mandates the PDEA as the implementing arm of the Dangerous Drugs Board.
Under Section 84 of the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the RA 9165 the PDEA is mandated to: “Implement or cause the efficient and effective implementation of the national drug control strategy formulated by the Board thereby carrying out a national anti-drug campaign program which shall include drug law enforcement, control and prevention campaign with the assistance of concerned government agencies.”
Albani said even with the surveillance, operations should be coordinated with the PDEA. (davaotoday.com)
