Alert on against bogus PDEA agents

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is warning the public against unscrupulous groups or individuals posing as its agents who extort money apparently in exchange for protection or removal from PDEA lists.

PDEA Director General Isidro S. Lapeña issued the warning amid mounting complaints that the victims were made milking cows of the fake PDEA agents.

“We are appealing to the public to be vigilant in dealing with people posing as PDEA operatives and personnel with the promise of removing persons of interest from the list of targeted drug personalities by issuing certificates in return,” said Lapeña.

The number of reports on bogus PDEA personnel started to increase in the aftermath of the voluntary surrender of thousands of self-confessed drug users and pushers nationwide.

Reports show that invitations/orders to surrender were issued by suspicious individuals using the heading of PDEA Drugbuster, the official newsletter of the agency, with forged the signatures of the PDEA chief and PDEA regional directors.

The reports also noted that spurious individuals, or groups fraudulently representing the agency, are accepting processing fees as payment from applicants for the PDEA Drug Enforcement Officers’ Basic Course (DEOBC) Training, a six-month comprehensive and regimented course to become bona fide PDEA agents.

“This is not the first time that certain person/s usurped the identity of PDEA to perpetrate illegal activities. On our part, we will not tolerate this. We are presently implementing intensive cleansing among our ranks to protect the name and integrity of the agency,” Lapeña added.

PDEA advises the public to immediately report suspicious individuals introducing themselves as PDEA agents and personnel while committing criminal acts. Complaints may be relayed by calling PDEA Hotlines: 09393960627, (02) 920-0735 and (02) 920-0736. (Chito A. Chavez)