PDEA has 149 new agents

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has 149 new agents who will be tapped in the government’s war on illegal drugs.

The drug enforcement officers of the Makilas Class took their oath during commencement exercises held recently at the PDEA Academy in Cavite.

PDEA director general Aaron Aquino said the new agents, consisting of 94 males and 55 females, completed a six-month training.

”Only 149 agent-trainees successfully hurdled the rigorous training to become full-fledged drug enforcement officers. I have high hopes that these additional frontliners in the war against illegal drugs will exemplify the values they have learned,” Aquino said in a statement.

Apart from reinforcing regional, provincial and district offices, the new anti-narcotics agents will monitor airports as well as key and private seaports across the country.

The new PDEA agents will also help personnel of the Bureau of Customs in inspecting cargoes.

 Another batch of 116 applicants are undergoing training and are expected to graduate in May.

Aquino said the government has allocated P200 million for the recruitment of an additional 1,000 agents this year.

PDEA spokesman Derrick Arnold Carreon said the agency has a total of 2,482 personnel.