By Priam Nepomuceno/PNA
MANILA — The Philippine Navy (PNP) has more than enough capabilities to help law enforcement agencies in resolving cases of cocaine bricks which were fished out of the country’s waters.
“The PN has sufficient capabilities and capacities to provide needed assets to the Unified Command(s) (UCs) in carrying out support to maritime law enforcement operations,” Navy spokesperson Captain Jonathan Zata said on Thursday when asked what the PN can do to assist in the case.
This is highlighted by the fact that surveillance and interdiction units are ready to cooperate with UCs — or the military units in a particular area — in additional taskings, he said.
“Surveillance and interdiction units under the Naval Forces collaborate with the UCs to carry out assigned and additional tasks. The Navy is firmly committed in carrying out its functions and support government agencies’ efforts in protecting its maritime interests,” Zata added.
Since February 10, more than 100 kilos of cocaine worth PHP871 million have been recovered so far on the shorelines or off the waters of Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur, Dinagat Island, Davao Oriental, Quezon, Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur and Aurora.
