New PDEA chief admits lapses in drug war

MANILA, Philippines — The newly inducted head of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) yesterday admitted that the government’s lapses in addressing the importation of shabu has dampened the administration’s war on illegal drugs.

Aaron Aquino said law enforcers are tripping over themselves to catch small-time dealers but the source of shabu has yet to be addressed.

“Tons of drugs are coming in and immediately distributed. If we take out the source, then the drugs won’t spread,” he said in an interview.

Around 70 percent of illegal drugs are being imported through different ports as not many laboratories remain in the country, Aquino added. 

He expressed dismay over the P6.4-billion worth of shabu which was able to pass through the Bureau of Customs. This has led to the filing of charges against former BOC chief Nicanor Faeldon and other top officials. 

“The problem with us is we are easily corrupted,” Aquino said.

He added they are finding it difficult to track where the other shabu shipments have gone.

Former PDEA-National Capital Region director Wilkins Villanueva said around 350 kilos of shabu, worth around P1.75 billion, could have been distributed after empty crates and cylinders were found in a townhouse in Manila.