‘More collaborative relationship’ with PDEA on drug war — CHR

MANILA — The Commission on Human Rights yesterday said it is hopeful the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency will respect the due process of the law as the sole agency in charge of the government’s war on drugs.

“We are hopeful that professionalism will govern PDEA in implementing the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act and that the campaign against drugs will be carried out with strict adherence to the rule of law,” commission spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia said.

She said the CHR hopes PDEA will respect the due process of law in conducting intelligence-gathering operations, inspections and arrests of suspects.

De Guia said the commission is looking forward to a “more collaborative relationship with PDEA toward shaping a strategy that is more respectful of life and human dignity.”

This development indicated the government’s willingness to listen to public clamor for the observance of due process in its campaign against narcotics, de Guia noted.

Last week, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered PDEA to take the lead in the administration’s anti-drug campaign amid simmering public outrage over alleged police abuse in the continuing crackdown.

He directed the Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, Armed Forces of the Philippines, among others, to refrain from spearheading drug operations.

Duterte invoked RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which mandates PDEA to undertake the enforcement in relation to the unlawful acts and penalties involving dangerous drugs and substances.

The law also empowers PDEA agents to “arrest and apprehend all violators and seize or confiscate the effects or proceeds of crimes” related to drugs.

“The CHR expects the various government agencies, such as the PNP, National Bureau of Investigation, and other members of the police sector to recognize the lead role of, and coordinate with, PDEA in this campaign,” de Guia said.

De Guia said that the assignment of the lead role to PDEA “will allow the PNP to devote more effort to solving and preventing ordinary crimes, including vigilante killings and possible EJKs resulting from police operations.”

While the CHR is hopeful that there would be an improvement in the conduct of campaigns against drugs, it is also aware that PDEA has limitations in undertaking the tasks nationwide.

PDEA only has 1,038 anti-illegal drug agents in its roster, compared to the 175,000 strong PNP.