BAGUIO CITY (PIA) -- The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency - Cordillera (PDEA-CAR) is re-strategizing its approach and tactics to combat illegal drugs in the region.
 
Atty. Joseph Frederick Calulut of PDEA-CAR said they are in talks with the Bureau of Internal Revenue for the possible crafting of a memorandum of agreement allowing the conduct of financial investigations to personalities involved in illegal drugs.

"We will look into tax evasion cases na puwedeng ipasok sa mga drug personalities," Calulut said during the Regional Development Council-Cordillera Development Administration and Good Governance Committee meeting on Wednesday (August 16, 2023).
 
He added that they  continue to promote active community involvement and engagement activities aside from anti-drug operations

"Ang thrust po ng PDEA is not only anti-drug operations but supply reduction. Dinadagdagan po natin 'yung community-based rehabilitation programs," Calulut said.

From May to July 2023, the PDEA-CAR was able to seize P321,918,546.18 worth of illegal drugs in various operations launched. In the same period, 74 drug personalities and seven high-value targets were arrested. Around 116 drug-related cases were also filed.

PDEA-CAR Information Officer Rosel Sarmiento, in an interview, thanked the community for supporting the anti-illegal drugs drive of the government.
 
"Ang impormasyon na ibinigay nila ay malaking tulong po para nasusugpo natin ang ilegal na droga," Sarmiento said.
 
She also renewed her call for the continued support of the public to PDEA to attain a drug-cleared or drug-free community. (JDP/DEG-PIA CAR)