MANILA – At least four informants received cash rewards amounting to more than PHP7.5 million from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Monday.
The informants, identified only through their codenames Pekka, Milo, Rod and Koolet, received the cash rewards at the PDEA National Headquarters in Quezon City.
“Informants remain anonymous for their security and protection,” PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino said.
Informant “Pekka” received PHP2 million for providing information that resulted in the seizure of 22.522 liters of liquid shabu, 252.926304 kilograms of pseudoephedrine, 109.428 grams of ephedrine and arrest of a Chinese national during the implementation of a search warrant on May 30, 2017 along No.5 Caroline Street, Quirino Highway, Baesa, Quezon City.
Informant “Milo” also received PHP2 million for providing information that resulted in the seizure 49,831.70 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride and the arrest of a Chinese national during an operation at the 2nd Level parking of Red Planet Hotel, ASEANA in Barangay Baclaran, Parañaque City on June 3, 2017.
The PDEA also handed PHP2 million to informant “Rod” who provided information that resulted in the seizure of 71,205.70 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride and the arrest of a Chinese national during the implementation of a search warrant at Unit B Lot 5, Block 3, Tiongquiao Street, BF Martinville Subdivision, Barangay Manuyo, Las Piñas City on July 13, 2017.
Informant “Koolet”, meanwhile, received PHP1,563,780.08 for providing information that resulted in the seizure of 23,996.79 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride and the arrest of two drug personalities during a buy-bust operation at 641 Interior 21, Pasig Line, Barangay 778, Zone 85, Sta. Ana, Manila on June 12, 2018.
The cash rewards were given under PDEA’s Operation “Private Eye” (OPE) — a scheme designed to encourage private citizens to report any suspected illegal drug activity in their community.
The Private Eye Rewards Committee, composed of members from the academe, non-government organizations, law enforcement, religious and business sectors, approved the resolution granting monetary rewards to the informants after careful and thorough deliberation.
“Operation Private Eye” is one way of encouraging the public to help the government’s anti-drug campaign by providing cash reward for information that result in the seizure of illegal drugs and arrest of drug personalities,” said PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino.
In related development, the agency’s five operating units has also received the monetary reward amounting to PHP4,266,875.05 for their meritorious anti-drug operations.
Aquino personally gave the rewards to PDEA-Intelligence and Investigation Service (PDEA-IIS), PDEA- Regional Office 3 (PDEA RO 3), PDEA Regional Office National Capital Region (PDEA RO-NCR), PDEA Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (PDEA ARMM), and PDEA Special Enforcement Service (PDEA SES).
The granting of rewards was based on the creation of “Operation Lawmen” pursuant to Section 22 of RA No. 9165 which was institutionalized through Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Regulation Number 1, Series of 2016 and took effect on September 3, 2016.
“Operation Lawmen” is the reward or award program for law enforcers or members of the anti-illegal drug units/teams or task forces including the support unit/s,” Aquino pointed out adding that this reward scheme will boost the morale of different law enforcement operating teams in conducting anti-drug operations.
This is the third time this year that PDEA has given monetary reward to its operating units under “Operation Lawmen”. (Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/PNA)
