QUEZON CITY --  The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) issued a set of unified coordination guidelines during the conduct of anti-illegal drug operations.

In a simple ceremony held today, (July 9, 2021) at the PNP National Headquarters, Camp Crame in Quezon City, PDEA Director General Wilkins M. Villanueva and PNP Chief, PGen. Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar signed a Joint Memorandum Circular that provided a clear-cut coordination mechanism between PDEA and the PNP prior to the conduct of planned anti-drug operations.

“The Circular should eliminate any misunderstanding, miscommunication and misencounter between drug law enforcement units that impedes the drug supply reduction efforts of the government’s anti-drug campaign,” Villanueva said.

Only PNP Drug Enforcement Group-Special Operations Units (PDEG-SOUs) and Drug Enforcement Units (DEUs) of Regional, District, Provincial, City, Municipal and Police Stations, are authorized to conduct anti-illegal drug operations and coordinate with PDEA.

“Other operating units are not allowed to conduct anti-drug operations on their own unless jointly done with PDEG and/or the concerned DEUs that will lead and initiate coordination with PDEA,” Villanueva added.

According to Villanueva, a “One Jurisdiction, One Operation” Rule shall be observed. “There shall only be one anti-drug operation in a particular area at a particular time covering areas of jurisdiction of PNP Stations: PS, CPS and MPS,” he noted.

In instances that the operating unit must move to another area not mentioned in the COC, a new Pre-Operation Report and Coordination Form must be submitted to PDEA. When personal coordination cannot be made, online submission of the requirements for application in the issuance of COC is permitted.

In case that two or more operating units simultaneously coordinated with PDEA ROC concerning the same area of jurisdiction, an order of priority shall be observed.

However, operating units may come to an agreement not to observe the order of priority. Prime importance will always be given to an operation where the subject target is of greater value.

PDEA will be provided an official list of PNP drug enforcement operatives, including their designation and contact number of the Team Leader, for purposes of reference and verification prior to the issuance of COC and monitoring of reportorial requirements.

Non-compliance with the provisions of this Circular will not prejudice the evidentiary value of the seized drug evidence and/or the case but the personnel liable shall be dealt with administratively or criminally pursuant to existing civil service rules and the applicable laws and regulations.

“From this day forward, the lines of communication among drug law operating units are clearer. All coordination before the conduct of all anti-drug operations will be put into writing and in strict accordance with the issued unified guidelines,” the PDEA chief said.  (PDEA)