QUEZON CITY -- The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) issued a warning after a recent anti-drug operation resulted in the death of an unscrupulous individual who introduced himself as PDEA agent.

PDEA Director General Wilkins M Villanueva identified the slain suspect as Noel Vasquez y Santander, 32 years old, a resident of Barangay San Jose, Bombon, Camarines Sur.

On August 2, 2021 at around 11:40 in the evening, elements of Bombon Municipal Police Station conducted a buy-bust operation against Vasquez in his neighborhood in Zone 1, Barangay San Jose, Bombon, Camarines Sur that led to an armed confrontation and death of the suspect.

According to the local police, Vasquez is included in the watch list of drug personalities and was the biggest source of illegal drugs in his hometown and adjacent municipalities.

His modus operandi was to introduce himself as PDEA agent to intimidate his competitors/cohorts in the illegal drug trade.

Under the PDEA National Drug Information System (NDIS), Vasquez was listed as drug surrenderer of Barangay Liboton, Naga City, Camarines Sur. 

“Falsely representing a person of authority is a serious crime punishable by law. People like Vasquez who are openly doing their illicit activities, leads to erosion of trust and confidence in PDEA.  Ito ang mahirap. Mag-trabaho man kami ng mahusay, napapasama pa rin kami sa mata ng publiko,” Villanueva said.

The PDEA chief encourages the public to remain vigilant and verify from the nearest PDEA Office those people who pose as PDEA agents. “Maari din po kayong magsumbong sa pamamagitan ng ‘Isumbong Mo Kay Wilkins!’ facebook page o di kaya pwede po kayong tumawag o mag-text sa aming mga hotline numbers 09953547020 at 09310278212,” he added. (PDEA)