Twenty-six civilian informants received a total of ₱9,400,641.00 in cash rewards from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on August 8, 2025, under Operation: Private Eye (OPE)—a citizen-based program encouraging private-sector tips on illegal drug activities.
At a ceremony in Quezon City, eight informants—wearing full-face masks and identified only by code names—received their rewards in person. The remaining informants received their payouts at regional PDEA offices.
“Hats off to the informants who discreetly provided us information leading to the successful execution of 29 high impact anti drug operations, seizures of large amounts of dangerous drugs and arrests of high value drug personalities nationwide,” said PDEA Director General Undersecretary Isagani R. Nerez.
Two informants emerged as top earners, receiving ₱2,000,000.00 each. Their information led to the recovery of 119,930.55 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) and arrests at Port of Calapan, Oriental Mindoro on March 21, and the seizure of 29,926.10 grams of shabu with arrests in Norzagaray, Bulacan on May 15.
The Operation Private Eye Reward Committee—a panel comprising PDEA officials and representatives from business, academe, and religious sectors—evaluated and approved the informants’ awards.
“Working behind the scenes, these private citizens turned informants played crucial roles in generating leads that would otherwise be difficult to uncover through conventional law enforcement efforts,” Nerez added.
“Active citizen participation in the fight against illegal drugs is vital to our country’s transformative journey towards a ‘Bagong Pilipinas.’ When everyone is involved, success is within reach,” the Director General said. He encouraged the public to continue reporting illegal drug activities via the PDEA hotline: 0917 867 732.
Operation Private Eye demonstrates the impact of community engagement metrics in government-led anti-drug campaigns. By offering incentives and anonymity, the initiative breaks down information barriers and accelerates enforcement outcomes in high-priority areas.
The program’s transparency through a multidisciplinary vetting committee also aims to foster trust and accountability. Looking ahead, PDEA may consider expanding similar community-based efforts or integrating technological tools to widen citizen collaboration across the archipelago.
