THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on Tuesday partnered anew with the Bureau of Corrections to curb illegal activities inside prison facilities and penal farms.
PDEA director general Aaron Aquino and BuCor's officer in charge Valfrie Tabian signed a memorandum of agreement at the New Bilibid Prisons in Muntinlupa City to continue cooperation and further enhancement of organized and systematic implementation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, particularly inside correctional institutions.
The arrangement would ensure intelligence-sharing and joint investigation efforts in the conduct of anti-drug operations within the jail premises under the jurisdiction of BuCor.
“Under the said agreement, PDEA is also authorized to conduct greyhound operations inside BuCor correctional facilities pursuant to the standard operating procedures,” Aquino said.
Despite rigorous security measures in place, there is still a prevalence of illegal drug trade happening in the NBP, the PDEA noted.
“That is why, PDEA deemed it necessary to establish its own liaison and coordinating office based inside NBP premises to address rapidly the immediate concern of possible entry of drug contraband,” Aquino said.
He also led the inauguration and blessing of the agency's liaison and coordinating office inside the NBP.
“The MoA is an extension of the previous agreement between the two agencies on March 25, 2015, except for the inclusion of additional provisions prescribing PDEA to have its own office inside the BuCor’s jurisdiction to effectively address the trafficking and other illegal activities relative to dangerous drugs,” he said.