b
DRUG
USTER
The Official Newsletter of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency
Volume II
Revival Issue
Providing information,
Generating support,
Mobilizing action
Against dangerous drugs
October to December 2014
Photo courtesy of
L’OSSERVATORE ROMANO
Blessed. Even before the Pope’s
visit to the Philippines in January
2015,PDEA Director-GeneralUSec
Arturo G Cacdac, Jr.,
was among the blessed-few who
were privileged to be granted private
audience with His Holiness during the
31st IDEC in Rome, Italy.
Pope Francis: “No to drugs”
“D
rug addiction is evil, and with evil there can be no yielding
or compromise,” the People’s Pope said.
Seven months before his monumental Papal Visit to the Philippines,
Pope Francis reaffirmed his firm stand against dangerous drugs before the
assembly of top drug enforcement officials from around the world, who
were granted private audience with the Holy Father.
(Continued on page 2)
INSIDE PEEK
• Be inspired by the Greeting of the
Holy Father to the International Drug
Enforcement Officials
• Is there a shabu laboratory in your
neighborhood? Know the
signs.
• Meet Agent DEO
and join him in his
adventures as a drug
enforcement officer
2
Exclusive
October to December 2014
From page 1
Pope Francis: “No to drugs”
GREETING OF THE HOLY FATHER
to the International Drug Enforcement Conference
(June 20, 2014)*
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am pleased to greet you at the conclusion of this International
Drug Enforcement Conference. I thank you for your visit and I express
my appreciation for your work in combating this most serious and
complex problem of our time. It is my hope that these days in Rome
will prove profitable for your future efforts. In particular, I trust that
you will accomplish the goals which you have set for yourselves: a
more effective coordination of anti-narcotics policies, better sharing
of relevant information and the development of an operative strategy
aimed at fighting the drug trade.
The scourge of drug use continues to spread inexorably, fed by
a deplorable commerce which transcends national and continental
borders. As a result, the lives of more and more young people and
adolescents are in danger. Faced with this reality, I can only manifest
my grief and concern.
Let me state this in the clearest terms possible: the problem of
drug use is not solved with drugs! Drug addiction is an evil, and with
evil there can be no yielding or compromise. To think that harm can
be reduced by permitting drug addicts to use narcotics in no way
resolves the problem. Attempts, however limited, to legalize so-called
‘recreational drugs’, are not highly questionable from a legislative
standpoint, but they fail to produce the desired effects. Substitute
drugs are not an adequate therapy but rather a veiled means of
surrendering to the phenomenon. Here I would reaffirm what I have
stated on another occasion: No to every type of drug use. It is as
simple as that. No to any kind of drug use (cf. General Audience, 7
May 2014). But to say ‘no’, one has to say ‘yes’ to life, ‘yes’ to love,
‘yes’ to others, ‘yes’ to education, ‘yes’ to greater job opportunities. If
we say ‘yes’ to all these things, there will be no room for illicit drugs,
for alcohol abuse, for other forms of addiction.
The Church, in fidelity to Jesus’ command to go out to all those
places where people suffer, thirst, hunger and are imprisoned (cf.
Mt 25:31-46), does not abandon those who have fallen into the trap
of addiction, but goes out to meet them with creative love. She
takes them by the hand, thanks to the efforts of countless workers
and volunteers, and helps them to rediscover their dignity and to
revive those inner strengths, those personal talents, which drug use
had buried but can never obliterate, since every man and woman is
created in the image and likeness of God (cf. Gen 1:26).
The example of all those young people who are striving to
overcome drug dependency and to rebuild their lives can serve as a
powerful incentive for all of us to look with confidence to the future.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I encourage you to carry on your work
with constantly renewed hope. To you and to your associates I impart
my blessing.
Blessed by the Pope
In the Greeting of the Holy Father to the International
Drug Enforcement Conference delivered on June 20,
2014, Pope Francis expressed his appreciation for the
efforts being exerted by different anti-narcotics agents
worldwide. The Jesuit-Pope imparted blessings to
the drug enforcement officials, including the Director
General of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency
(PDEA) Usec. Arturo G. Cacdac, Jr., towards the
accomplishment of a united objective to resolve the
global drug problem.
No compromise
The People’s Pope conveyed his concern over the
harm reduction policies being proposed to resolve
the problem on drug abuse. Pope Francis made it
clear that he is against the legalization of “recreational
drugs”, questioning not only its legality but its
failure to “produce desired effects”. On the issue of
administering substitute drugs as a form of therapy for
drug dependents, he did not hesitate to articulate his
opinion that the so-called “therapy was only a veiled
means of surrendering the phenomenon”.
Soft-spot for drug victims
Staying true to his message of mercy and
compassion, the beloved Pope communicates no
condemnation for the victims of drug abuse. He said
the church “goes out to meet them with creative
love” because each of us were created in the image
and likeness of God. Pope Francis acknowledged the
involvement of workers and volunteers for helping the
church to “rediscover the dignity and revive the inner
strengths and talents” of the victims of drug abuse.
Short and simple
At the end of day, the People’s Pope has a short
and simple message, “No to every type of drug use.”
But Pope Francis said saying “no” means exerting effort
to protect life, showing love and concern to others,
working towards the provision of better education and
greater job opportunities for the people.
It was a challenge issued not only for the world’s
anti-drug leaders. It is a challenge for everyone in the
public service. It is a challenge for the Philippine Drug
Enforcement Agency (PDEA). It is a challenge for you
and me. •
October to December 2014
Operational Accomplishments
Anti-drug year-ender:
3
1 mega, 1 kitchen-type shabu labs down in 4th quarter
Surprise, surprise! Shocked residents inside the
Malinta, Industrial Estate in Rincon, Valenzuela City
flock towards the apartment along Omega 1st St.,
that was utilized as a kitchen-type shabu laboratory.
Multi-kilo-purpose. This property of the Facoma
Multi-purpose Cooperative in Camiling, Tarlac, which
was utilized as a clandestine laboratory, has the
capacity to produce 60 kilos of shabu in one cycle.
Year 2014 ended with two significant hits – one industrial and one kitchen-type clandestine laboratories,
used in local manufacturing of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu), in two separate locations, one
month after the other, as a result of intensive intelligence collaboration.
According to Usec. Arturo G.
Cacdac, Jr., Director General of the
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency
(PDEA), records show that the kitchentype laboratory in Valenzuela and
the mega shabu laboratory in Tarlac,
were posted as the 93rd and 94th
illegal drug facilities knocked-down by
authorities since 1997 when the first
shabu laboratory was discovered and
dismantled in Angeles City, Pampanga.
Thanks to tipsters
Both accomplishments, Usec.
Cacdac stated, came about as a result
of information provided by concerned
citizens.
“Through Operation: Private
1
Eye , authorities were able to gather
positive information that led to the
discovery and dismantling of the two
shabu laboratories,” the PDEA chief
said.
Informant alias ‘Kulot’ tipped
authorities about the existence of the
kitchen-type laboratory in Rincon,
Valenzuela City. Armed with a search
warrant, elements of the Northern
Police District Anti-Illegal Drugs Special
Operations Task Force (NPD-DAIDSOTF)
raided the said illegal drug facility
on October 15, 2014, upon proper
coordination with PDEA. Six Chinese
nationals – Leo Ching, Qing Cai, Chan
Se Ong, James Qing Chao, Cai Xiao and
Qingshan Shi – were arrested and 1.81
kilograms of shabu worth P9 million
were recovered from the site together
with several controlled precursors
and essential chemicals (CPECs) and
equipment for manufacturing shabu.
In return, tipster ‘Kulot’ received
P581,220.69 as reward money.
The mega-laboratory in Camiling,
Tarlac was credited to alias ‘Coleen
Sarmiento’2, not her real name. Alias
‘Coleen Sarmiento’ was awarded
P1.5 million for the accomplishment
after agents of the National Bureau
of Investigation Anti-Illegal Drugs Unit
(NBI-AIDU), with proper coordination
with PDEA, served a search warrant
against the said property. A total of
17.02 kilograms of shabu valued at
P102 million were confiscated along
with CPECs, industrial manufacturing
equipment and devices. Six Chinese
nationals who were at the site at the
time of the raid– Sand Chai Wang, Xia
Jian Jung, Xu Jian Dong, Hueng Zhogie,
Wang Xiao Bing, and Zhan Zhi Hong –
were arrested.
(Continued on page 5)
Operation: Private Eye (OPE) is a reward and incentive scheme designed to encourage ordinary citizens to report suspected illegal drug activities
in their respective communities.
2
OPE grants anonymity to informants and ensures confidentiality of their identity.
1
4
Strengthening Partnerships
October to December 2014
Cebu City Police Office
reaffirms support to PDEA
The Cebu City Police Office
(CCPO) under the leadership of
Police Senior Superintendent
Noli Andrade Romana, reaffirms
its support to the Philippine
Drug
Enforcement
Agency
(PDEA). Through an official letter,
PSSupt Romana conveyed his
grateful appreciation to PDEA for
recognizing the anti-drug efforts
of the men and women of the
Cebu City Police Office.
This was after PSSupt Romana
received a commendation letter
from PDEA Director General
Usec Arturo G. Cacdac, Jr., dated
October 13, 2014, lauding in
particular the City Intelligence
Branch of the CCPO for the
successful conduct of a buy-bust
operation in Barangay Labangon
on August 2014. The operation
led to the confiscation of shabu
worth P6 million pesos from a 14year old pusher.
SSupt Romana further updated
the PDEA Chief on the results of
other significant accomplishments
of CCPO as a testimony of its
“aggressive stance against the
drug menace”. He cited two
consecutive operations conducted
on October 28 and 29, 2014,
in Barangay Lorega and Suba,
Cebu City, which resulted in the
confiscation of P7.2 million worth
of shabu – the “largest batch of
drugs confiscated” in the area
under his jurisdiction since 2012.
PSSupt Romana gave his
assurance that CCPO shall remain
firm in its “resolve to eradicate
illegal drugs in the community”.
October to December 2014
5
Operational Accomplishment
From page 3
Anti-drug year-ender: 1 mega, 1 kitchen-type shabu labs down in 4th quarter
Strategic shift
Before 1997, shabu in finished form was being smuggled
into the country, Usec. Cacdac said. Sea vessels, containing
illegal drugs, dock in our seaports or offload shipment
to smaller fishing vessels in international waters before
venturing into Philippine territory through the country’s
vast and unpatrolled coastlines.
of the mega-laboratory in Tarclac early in November 2014
revealed the re-establishment of mega-type laboratories
using uncontrolled precursors to manufacture shabu.
The biggest haul from shabu laboratories was recorded
in September 24, 2004, with the dismantling of the facility
in Mandaue City, Cebu. Eleven drug personalities were
arrested and 675 kilograms of shabu were confiscated
together with CPECs and equipment valued at P1.41 billion.
Smuggling vs local manufacture
From large-scale to small–scale
production: big quantity, high
risk; smaller quantity, lower risk
Statistics from 2002 to 2014 show that as the incidence
of local manufacture of shabu increases, the incidence in
smuggling decreases. On the other hand, as the incidence
of local manufacture decreases, the incidence of smuggling
increases.
This phenomenon explains the inverse
relationship between local manufacture and smuggling to
complement each activity to ensure adequate supply of
dangerous drugs in the local market.
Changing with the times
A strategic shift was observed in the operation of
international drug syndicates with the discovery and
dismantling of the first shabu laboratory in rural
areas and far flung areas: Angeles, Pampanga
in 1997 and the industrial laboratory in Calayan
Island, Batanes in 1999. Records show that local
manufacture of shabu peaked from 2001 to
2005 when a total of 36 shabu laboratories were
discovered and dismantled. During this period, the
establishment of shabu laboratories in urban areas
– particularly in the National Capital Region (NCR)
and the Southern and Central parts of Luzon – was
observed. However, from 2006 to 2009, another
strategic move was monitored: illegal facilities for
the manufacture of shabu were relocated back to
the rural areas. The period covered from 2010
to 2013 paved the way for the establishment
of kitchen-type laboratories in commercial and
exclusive residential areas. This tactic ensured,
albeit in small quantity, the steady supply of shabu
in the local market. The discovery and dismantling
Drug syndicates continue to employ methods that will
ensure sustained supply of dangerous drugs in the local
market, be it local manufacturing or smuggling in finished
form.
“They see it [drug trade] as pure business. They don’t
care who gets hurt along the way. They [drug syndicates]
may shift tactics, but we will continue to adjust our counterstrategies. Our job is to get them out of business,” Usec.
Cacdac said.
(with Yvonne Balares, POS)
6
Editorial
October to December 2014
Lesson learned from
Providing information,
Generating support,
Mobilizing action
Against dangerous drugs
PHILIPPINE DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY
Publisher
EDITORIAL BOARD
Usec. ARTURO G. CACDAC, JR., CESE
Director General, PDEA
Chairman of the Board
Editorial Advisers
Asec. RENE M. ORBE
Dep. Director General for Administration
Asec. ABE L. LEMOS
Dep. Director General for Operations
Dir. GLADYS F. ROSALES,
Director, Plans and Operations Service
Atty. JACQUELYN DE GUZMAN
Director, Administrative and Human Resource Service
Dir. DERRICK ARNOLD C. CARREON
Director, Public Info Office/ICFAS
Ms. MARLA BRIGITTE M. GALVAN
Chief, IAD-ODG
Ms. Evangeline DJ. Almenario, PECIS
Editor-In-Chief
Mr. Paolo Victor, Daculla, RO-NCR
Associate Editor
Mr. Arnel A. Novicio, ODG
Consultant
Researchers/Staff Writers
Maritess M. Sierra, PIO|Glenn J. Malapad, PIO|
Shiela N. Valmoria, PIO|Odessa Woods, POS
Yvonne Balares, POS|Elmer Allan Morales, IAD
Gay Valerie Valmores, IAD|Michael Anthony Lim, IAD
Gilford Entroliso, IAD
Lay-out Artists
Judith Velasco, IAD
Daniel Donovan Concepcion, LPS|Renato Reyes, RO-NCR
Photographers:
Charlie Magno, RO-NCR| Peter Mar Laborosa, ODG
PDEA Bldg., NIA Northside Road, National Government Center,
Barangay Pinyahan, Diliman, Quezon City 1100
www.pdea.gov.ph| (02) 927-9702
A Common Communication Theory
Communication is an integral part of every aspect of life
where a sender, using a chosen channel, communicates a
specific message to specific receiver or group of receivers.
The desired outcome? “UNDERSTANDING”.
However, there are times when communication results
to misunderstanding. Why? Probable reasons maybe the
message was not clear and/or the channel by which the
message was disseminated was not appropriate. This
happens to people…including people like us who belong to
an organization.
***
The nature of our work exposes us to risks, especially
our drug enforcement officers. It is normal for employees
to seek adequate insurance and benefits. For years,
mandatory benefits have been available to employees like
the GSIS insurance, Philhealth, Pag-ibig and PERA. The
agency has even initiated the creation of an employees’
cooperative and just last year, the Provident Fund.
And yet, most of the employees are still not aware
of these. This has caused unnecessary discouragement
among the ranks. Probably, because adequate information
about these benefits has not been properly disseminated?
On one hand, we cannot blame the employees for feeling
discouraged. On the other, it is also unfair to say that the
management is “not concerned about the employees’
welfare”. Maybe, a clearer message and the appropriate
channel would help.
The Director General has expressed confidence that
with the newly appointed Director, AHRS, positive changes
await. The PDEA Drug Buster is willing to be utilized as “a
channel”. •
PDEA
salutes the
bravery of
SAF 44!
October to December 2014
Executive Page
“Keep Off the Grass”
7
I’ve been quite amused by the simple wisdom behind the signs I
usually see in parks but just took for granted in the not so distant
past: “Keep off the grass”.
The debate is on: should marijuana be legalized in the Philippines or not?
House Bill No. 4477 or the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Act has been
to many, a bold move on the part of its proponent. The bill seeks to regulate the
medical use of cannabis and establish an agency under the Department of Health
(DOH) specifically for the purpose.
Cannabis sativa, or marijuana, popular in street lingo as “grass” or “damo”,
is presently classified as a dangerous drug as per Republic Act 9165 or the
Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Therefore, here in the Philippines
– possession, use, cultivation, sale, trading, administration, dispensation,
delivery, distribution and transportation of this plant (and products derived
from it) is punishable by law. As the lead implementer, our job is to efficiently
and effectively enforce the provisions of the existing anti-drug law. As far as
our country is concerned, marijuana remains to be a dangerous drug and its
trafficking, cultivation and use is subject to criminal prosecution.
An already compassionate law
Our existing statutes can already be considered as
“compassionate”. Law-makers had already anticipated
situations where terminally or seriously ill patients would
need “drugs and devices/product/preparation which are not
yet registered or are in the process of registration with the
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and there is no existing
superior alternative therapy that can likely cure or adequately
control their conditions.”
Although, RA 9165 is dead set on pursuing an “intensive
and unrelenting campaign against the trafficking and use of
dangerous drugs”, the same law has declared as policy that
“achieving a balance in the national drug control program so
that people with legitimate medical needs are not prevented
from being treated with adequate amounts of appropriate
medications, which include the use of dangerous
drugs” (Para 2 Sec 2).
FDA has issued Administrative Order
No.4 s. 1992 “Policy and Requirements for
Availing of Compassionate Special Permit
(CSP) for Restricted Use of Unregistered
Drug and Device Product/ Preparation)”
as early as 1992. It sets the parameters
on the conditions and requirements for
allowing CSP. The permit may be granted,
upon application, to specialized institutions
and specialty societies allowing them to
avail of an unregistered drug and device
product through licensed establishments
only for patients suffering from the following
conditions: Acquired Immune Deficiency
Syndrome (AIDS); cancer; and life-threatening
conditions.
Usec. Arturo G. Cacdac, Jr., CESE
Director General, PDEA
Tipping the scale: general health and social costs vs supposed
medical benefits
Supporters of medical marijuana argue that other countries
have already recognized and embraced the medical uses of
marijuana. The enactment of laws decriminalizing activities
involving marijuana and legitimizing medical marijuana, they
contend, is a valid testimony of this fact. Colorado, Washington,
Alaska, Oregon, Portland, and South Portland, Maine, are
among the states in the US where medical and recreational use
of marijuana is already legitimate. Guam and nine other states
allow the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Still, 10 more
states authorize its citizens to possess marijuana in limited
amount for medical purposes only. Canada, the Netherlands,
and Israel have legitimate programs for growing marijuana for
medical use.
While several recent studies admit to some medical
benefits of marijuana preparations, medical associations in
the Philippines claim that review of current scientific data
reveals there is “no strong beneficial effects that can outweigh
the potential harm of legalizing the marijuana for medical
purposes”.
Various legitimate drugs are available in the market and
currently being used to treat diseases that medical marijuana
can allegedly remedy. This makes legalization of marijuana for
medical use absolutely superfluous. Moreover, marijuana has
certain adverse effects that must be taken into consideration.
Medical experts agree that marijuana has negative impacts
on health and using it, even for medical purposes, could
have serious consequences and long-term development
repercussions. This explains why the 1961 United Nations
Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs (as amended by the 1972
Protocol) placed “cannabis and tinctures of cannabis” under
(Continued on page 10)
8
Significant Accomplishments
October to December 2014
1
SAN FERNANDO, PAMPANGA: September
12, 2014 – four Chinese nationals were
arrested in two storage facilities for finished
products and CPECs which yielded P2.38
billion worth of shabu and ephedrine
CAMILING, TARLAC: November 6, 2014
– P94.2 million worth of shabu, laboratory
equipment, and CPECs were recovered
from a shabu mega-laboratory. Six Chinese
nationals, suspected to be operating the lab,
were likewise arrested.
Operating units: PDEA-SES, PDEA RO III
and PNP
Operating unit: National Bureau of
Investigation (NBI)
TAMBO, PARANAQUE CITY:
February 12, 2014 – A search
warrant served at a condominium
unit along Cerulean St.,
Macapagal Avenue, resulted
in the confiscation on 27.5
kilograms of shabu and 24
kilograms of ephedrine wrapped
in foil packs and concealed as
Chinese tea amounted to P175.9
million.
4
7
Operating units: PDEA and PNP
AIDSOTF
BRGY. LAGGAO, GENERAL SANTOS
CITY: September 12, 2014 – A buy-bust
operation conducted near a mall along Gen.
Santos City National Highway resulted in
the confiscation of ecstasy worth P3 million.
Operating unit: PDEA-RO12
5
ROXAS BLVD, PASAY CITY: February 27,
2014 – Three drug personalities were caught
red-handed in a buy-bust operation conducted
along Roxas Boulevard and yielded 10
kilograms of shabu worth P10 million.
Operating unit: PDEA Special Enforcement
Service
8
October to December 2014
9
Significant Accomplishments
2 3
MALINTA, VALENZUELA CITY: October
15, 2014 – Six Chinese nationals yielded
P5.4 million worth of shabu together with
some laboratory equipment and CPECs
after being arrested in a kitchen-type
laboratory they have set-up in an apartment
in a residential subdivision.
Operating unit: Northern Police DistrictDAIDSOTG
DON GALO, PARANAQUE
CITY: January 20, 2014 – An
interdiction operation conducted
along the Coastal Highway
resulted in the arrest of 4 drug
personalities and confiscation
of 248.2 kilograms of ephedrine
worth P397.2 million.
DAVAO CITY – Cocaine bricks worth P363.24 million were
recovered by authorities in a container truck in Barangay
Tibungco. The cocaine bricks weighing 68.95 kilograms
were concealed in secret compartment in the trailer.
Operating units: PDEA RO 11, CIDG 11,
Davao City Police Office, IDMB-DCPO,
CPSC-DCPO
6
Operating units: PDEA-SES and
PNP AIDSOTF
9
10
BINONDO, MANILA: April 8, 2014 – Two
drug personalities were caught in-flagrante
with 10 kilograms of shabu were confiscated
in City Place Square Condominium in
Manila.
Operating unit: Manila Police District
SAN VICENTE, QUEZON CITY: August
8, 2014 – A buy-bust operation conducted
inside Jollibee Philcoa resulted in the arrest
of a Chinese national and the recovery of 10
kilograms of shabu worth P30 million.
Operating unit: QCPD-DAIDSOTG
10
October to December 2014
Issues
(From page 7)
“Keep Off the Grass”
Schedule-1. Generally, substances under Schedule-1 have no medical
uses and have high addictive potentials.
Grave concerns
The proposed legalization of marijuana for medical use poses
grave concerns. It presents serious propensity for marijuana to be
further abused. It should be taken into serious consideration that
marijuana is deemed as a gateway drug: it leads users towards use
of more dangerous substances. As it is, marijuana is the number 2
drug of choice in the country being abused according to facility-based
statistics provided by the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) and data of
arrest maintained by PDEA.
The original intention of the pending bill for the “Compassionate
Use of Medical Cannabis” maybe just that: a compassion for seriously
ill patients. The Department of Health (DOH), under the bill, shall
regulate the medical use of marijuana by issuing identification cards
to qualified patients and giving permit to their care-givers to supervise
the administration of “medical marijuana”.
However, the possibility that recreational users would exploit
and manipulate that “compassion” to their advantage should not
be discounted. More alarming is the growing apprehension that
the legalization of medical marijuana may just be a platform for the
eventual legalization of recreational marijuana in the Philippines.
“The deadliest side effect of medical
marijuana is the message being sent to
our kids, the lie that using marijuana
is safe.”
Tony Bylsma,
Executive Director
Narconon Drug Prevention & Education
“While it feels good to have our bare feet on the fresh green grass, we risk having the soles of your feet sullied
by the dirt without us being aware of it. Then we’d have to spend a considerable amount of time, energy and effort
to wash, soap and towel dry our feet to get it clean. We had better heed the warning: “keep off the grass”.
MJ-high: Negative Effects
Marijuana comes from the plant “cannabis sativa”. Dried leaves, flowers and stems are usually rolled and smoked like
cigarette or sometimes, placed in pipes. Some are mixed into food (brownies) and sometimes brewed as tea. Marijuana
hashish, which looks like brown or black cake or ball, is a more potent form.
The main active chemical in marijuana is THC (delta-9tetrahydrocannabinol). When someone smokes marijuana,
THC goes from the lungs into the bloodstream. From there,
it ends up in the brain and other organs.
THC connects with a receptor on nerve cells in the
brain. When these nerve cells are in the parts of the brain
that govern sensory perception and pleasure, it causes the
marijuana “high.”
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Short-Term Effects
Difficulty thinking and problem solving
Problems with memory and learning
Loss of coordination
Distorted perception
An increase in appetite
Feeling lightheaded or drowsy
A decrease in inhibitions
Long-Term Effects
• Changes in the brain. Marijuana can affect the parts of the brain that
play a role in our ability to remember, multi-task, and pay attention.
• Fertility issues. Animal studies suggest that using a lot of marijuana
might be linked to decreased sperm count in men and delayed
ovulation in women. Women who use marijuana when they are
pregnant may be more likely to have babies with developmental and
behavioral problems.
• Respiratory problems. People who smoke marijuana a lot can
develop problems with the respiratory system — like chronic cough
and bronchitis.
• Immune system problems. Using marijuana a lot might make it
harder for the body to fight off infections.
• Emotional problems. People who use a lot of marijuana are more
likely to say they notice signs of depression or anxiety. If someone
has a condition like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, marijuana can
sometimes make symptoms worse.
October to December 2014
PE
ares
11
Strengthening Partnership
IS: Consistently Advocating Reforms to Empower Stakeholders
PDEA presents Certificate of Accreditation
to 11 selected NGOs
Recognizing one’s limitation is the first step towards finding a solution
to a very complex problem. From the start, the Preventive Education and
Community Involvement Service (PECIS) has been aware of this and has been active
in building partnerships with non-government organizations sharing PDEA’s advocacy
against dangerous drugs.
PECIS acknowledges that its lean and mean workforce composed of 16 men and women
cannot shoulder all the work required when it comes to drug demand reduction. With our limited
manpower, and of course, financial constraints, we welcome the support and assistance being
extended by well-meaning NGOs.
Therefore, we give premium to the partnerships we have built and the networks
we have nurtured all these years. We want to make sure that
our networks remain upright and unsullied by the presence
of corrupt organizations which threatened to jeopardize the
credibility of PDEA as an organization.
In appreciation of the constant support of organizations
advocating the anti-drug campaign, 11 active NGOs have been
given due accreditation by PDEA: the Balikatan People’s Alliance;
Bantay-Bayan
Foundation,
Inc.;
Federation of Integrated Volunteers
and Educators Association, Inc. (BRAD
FIVE); Centennial Force Foundation,
Inc.,; Christian Light Foundation,
Inc.;
Citizens
Crime Watch Special Task Force;
Community Crime Watch; Confederation
of Community Oriented Policing Systems
(CCOPS); Kabataan Iwas Droga Movement;
Mission to Help the Poor; and Prime
Movers for Peace and Progress (PRIMO).
We expect that the accreditation of
these NGOs shall signify a renewed and
revitalized partnership. We expect to capitalize on the
existing and functional structures these NGOs have on its disposal to the
benefit of the anti-drug campaign: anti-drug information reporting, communitymobilization, anti-drug awareness prevention, mechanism for referral to drug
treatment and rehabilitation, and alternative development. From these core
organizations, we expect to establish a national federation of NGOs that would
help PDEA promote the campaign against dangerous drugs.
We do this because PECIS Cares.
12
Region in Focus
At the Epicenter:
October to December 2014
PDEA RO-NCR withstanding tremors
at the core of the drug hub
Tasked to safeguard the National Capital Region, covering
638.55 kilometers land area and subdivided into 16 cities and one
municipality under the jurisdiction of 17 local government units,
the men and women of the PDEA Regional Office-National Capital
Region (PDEA RO-NCR) continue to face the challenges brought
about by the complexity and diversity of the drug problem in the
region.
From January to December 2014, a total of 2,155 anti-illegal
drug operations were conducted resulting in the arrest of 95 drug
personalities, five of which were foreign nationals and classified as
High Value Targets (HVT); the confiscation of 20.3 kilograms of shabu;
222.7 grams of ecstasy; 2.3 kilograms of marijuana; 1.99 grams of
cocaine; 886 grams of ephedrine; 113.06 grams of ketamine; 67
kilograms of alprazolam. A new type of dangerous drug, known
among users as “fly-high”, was discovered and documented.
Likewise, 90 cases for violation of RA 9165 were filed in the
different drug courts within the National Capital Judicial Region.
A total of 2,155 anti-drug operations were conducted, 15 of
which were considered as High-Impact-Operations (HIOs).
Assessment of the Drug Problem
The “drug problem” remains as serious threat to the security
and safety of the people residing in Metro Manila. The unlimited
resources at their disposal enable drug syndicates to proliferate their
illegal business in the region using state-of-the-art technologies –
most of the time, making it possible for them to circumvent the law.
With the marching order from the Director General, PDEA RONCR prioritized the conduct of high-impact operations (HIO) against
high-value targets (HVT). Elements of PDEA RO-NCR went after
significant sources that provide supply of dangerous drugs in the
National Capital Region.
The development of new trends in the consumption and
trafficking of drugs have surfaced. An increase in the use of “fly
high” was discovered among avid party-goers. Legitimate courier
companies are now being exploited by drug syndicates in the
distribution of dangerous drugs.
Globalization has opened vast opportunities for flourishing
trades between many nations – but international drug syndicates
turned this legitimate opportunity towards their advantage. Since
Metro Manila is considered as the center for commerce in the
country, it has also evolved into becoming the epicenter of drug
trade, where manufacture and distribution has already thrived.
But this did not stop the men and women of PDEA RO-NCR. We
took the challenge. We pushed on with the marching order. We
have succeeded in withstanding the tremors at the core of the drug
hub.
(Paulo Victor Daculla, PDEA RO-NCR)
October to December 2014
13
Feature Story
Give Back
Give, and it will be given to
you. A good measure, pressed
down, shaken together and
running over, will be poured
into your lap. For with the
measure you use, it will be
measured to you.
Luke 6:38
Homeless and abandoned “elderlies” in Bahay
Pag-ibig in Pampanga enjoyed the attention they
received from PDEA and Thursday Group.
Christmas has always been associated with giving. But since
childhood, most of us are conditioned into thinking that we are
blessed whenever somebody gives us anything. We feel good
being at the receiving end.
The whole year, we have been blessed to be at the receiving
end of God’s blessings. And it is only appropriate that we “give
back” – be the giver and give whenever opportunities arise – or
create opportunities for us to practice generosity until it becomes
a lifestyle.
Following this principle, Paskong PDEA was conceptualized
with a series of “giving back”, in collaboration with the Thursday
Group, composed of the wives of retired generals. The Agency
recognizes our social responsibility of being a channel of blessing
to others with a firm belief that “it is more blessed to give than to
receive”.
We must always be reminded that the real essence of the
Christmas season is to commemorate the birth of Christ, given as
the “greatest gift” for everyone to receive.
PDEA Director General Usec Arturo G. Cacdac, Jr. led the distribution of
Christmas Packs to selected students from 10 public elementary schools in
Mayantoc, Tarlac. Their families also received Noche Buena packages.
14
Reflections
October to December 2014
A slight pause...
“ With the overwhelmingly fast paced lives we are living daily, immersed with so
many things around us that often make us fail to see the eccentricity of life, it is
imperative to make a slight pause and be cradled in the idiosyncrasies of our
thoughts and make an assessment of our selves. Sometimes deep in the well of our
being lies a vast turf resources that will make us adamant.”
-Paulo Victor Daculla, NCRO
Putting on the Armor
First in the series of six
Every day we go to work… and working an organization like PDEA is not easy. Each time,
it seemed like we are going into battle. In a sense, we do go to war against drugs every day.
Regardless of our job description – admin-technical personnel or drug enforcement officers – we
are all anti-drug warriors as we are part of the government’s lead anti drug agency. The only
difference is the perceived intensity of the danger we each have to face when we go to “our” war,
facing everyday’s challenges.
“13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be
able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.14 Stand firm then, with
the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,15 and
with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.16 In addition to all
this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil
one.17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.“
-Ephesians 6:13-17
Our line of work as front-liners in the campaign against drugs requires us to put on our armor
to protect us as we charge forward in our “physical” war against drugs. As Christians, we also need
to gear-up for the tougher “spiritual battle”.
“Stand firm in the belt of truth buckled around your waist”
The Belt of Truth (Ephesians 6:14)
During the first century, the belt used to be a significant part of the Roman soldiers’ armor
that held other parts of the armor together. In contemporary times, ordinarily belts cannot deflect
bullets. But to one officer whose belt buckle accidentally deflected a bullet fired at close range, it
was an effective protective gear. These days, some just normally put on a belt as an accessory to
our attire. Are we one of them, those who just consider belt as an accessory?
It is not enough that we know the truth… but God wants us to “wear it, wrapped and fitted
snuggly around us”. Believing the truth is not enough, we have to live the truth. But what is the
truth? The Word of God is the “truth”. It is pure, unchangeable. It can stand the test of time. We
can find it in the Bible.
In the same way that our drug enforcement officers depend on and follow the manual of antiillegal drug operations in the performance of their duties and responsibilities to ensure conviction
of cases, we must also depend on the Word of God, the truth, to understand God’s way and live
according to His will.
“Show me the right path oh, Lord, point out the road for me to follow,
Lead me by Your truth and teach me, for You are the God who saves me,
All day long, I put my hope in You.” (Psalm 25:4-5)
October to December 2014
Comic Strip
AGENT DEO At Your Service
FOR YOUR INFO:
All information received by PDEA is validated as part of
the planning and preparation for operation.
Good intelligence is indispensable in the planning
and preparation for an operation. It must be a product of
careful analysis of all relevant information: maps, physical
description of target premises, sketches,
personality profiles of suspects, terrain and
population analysis of the area, and other
information that can contribute to the
arrest and/or confiscation of dangerous
drugs and evidence posing the least danger
to operating elements.
15
Story by: Judith Velasco/Illustration by: Daniel Donovan Concepcion
16
I saw the
Supplemental Information
October to December 2014
SIGNS
HOW WOULD YOU KNOW IF THERE IS A
CLANDESTINE LABORATORY
IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD?
A clandestine laboratory is a “secret”
illegal facility used for the local manufacture of
methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu.
Tell-tale signs of a shabu laboratory
Outside the property:
- Chemical odors (solvent-like) coming
from the property
- Exhaust fans running for longer hours
- Dying/drying plants around the
property
- Covered/tinted windows
- Unusual rusting of gates
- 3-phase electric lines with own
transformer
- Heavy security around the property
Inside the property
- Presence of laboratory glassware and
equipment
- Containers with clear liquid inside
- Chemical odor
- Yellowish walls and ceilings, heavilystained toilet bowl, tiles
Movement of people
- Frequent visitors
- People coming out to smoke
- Unsociable occupants/tenants, often
paranoid and secretive
- Overly secured property/ expensive
security (with CCTV)
- Landlords/owners are denied access
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF
YOU “SAW THE SIGNS”?
Report to PDEA or the nearest police
station if you suspect that there is a
shabu laboratory in your community.