PDEA has 70 new agents

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) welcomed 70 new agents to its ranks during ceremonies in Quezon City on Tuesday.

Outgoing PDEA chief Arturo Cacdac congratulated the “Kawalong Silab” class, the eighth batch of drug enforcement officers who finished the six-month Drug Enforcement Officers’ Basic Course at the PDEA Academy in Cavite.

The Kawalong Silab class, which stands for “Kawal ng ika-walong sibol na sinanay laban sa ilegal na droga,” is the last batch of PDEA agents to graduate under Cacdac’s leadership.

“I am proud to present the latest addition to the PDEA family. The agency is set to infuse new blood to boost the manpower of the country’s premier organization against illegal drugs,” Cacdac said.

Out of the 82 agent-trainees, only 70 passed the screening process, which included neuro-psychological examination, medical and physical examinations, agility test, background investigation and panel interview.