Leyte mayor’s surrender to raise informants’ confidence – PDEA chief

TACLOBAN CITY, Aug. 5 (PNA) -– Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director General Isidro Lapeña said that Albuera Mayor Rolando Espinosa’s apparent fear of the President Rodrigo Duterte’s anti-drug war is a welcome development.

“With the neutralization of drug syndicates led by the mayor’s son, Kerwin Espinosa, more people will come out to report illegal drugs trade here in Region 8,” said Lapeña.

The official said their agency is conducting surveillance operation against high value targets other than the Espinosa family.

The PDEA chief admitted that as the magnitude of drug problems in the country is alarming and law enforcement authorities cannot suppress it alone.

“It is good that we have now a president who is hands-on on the fight against illegal drug. This is a golden opportunity for the Filipino people to suppress illegal drugs,” he said.

“Comparing to the same period last year, we have better significant accomplishment for this year.”

The new PDEA chief re-echoed President Duterte’s announcement to stop illegal drug trade problem in the country within three to six months by intensifying their campaign in the community level.

Lapeña visited the PDEA regional office on Friday to check the needs of their field office for them to be able to effectively carry out their mandate on anti-illegal drug operations.

This is his first visit to the region, since he assumed post as PDEA chief, replacing Arturo Cacdac Jr. (PNA)
LAP/SQM/ROEL T. AMAZONA/EGR