BUTUAN CITY—The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Caraga (PDEA-Caraga) issued a warning on Friday against “fake agents” who are illegally using the agency’s emblem, badge and uniform to dupe unsuspecting individuals.
PDEA Information Officer Dindo de G. Abellanosa said they are currently verifying reports that shadowy individuals and groups engaged in extortion activities against drug personalities in some parts of the region.
Describing the modus, Abellanosa said the fake agents would pose as PDEA personnel using counterfeit PDEA identification and uniform as they conduct bogus drug arrests in order to extort money from their targets.
Abellanosa said the reports have angered PDEA-Caraga Regional Director Aileen T. Lovitos, who also warned the agency’s own personnel not to engage in corrupt activities.
Lovitos said: “I will not allow anyone, including our very own PDEA drug enforcement officers, as well as administrative and technical staff, to deliberately tarnish the agency’s integrity by any means such as performing operational irregularities, unlawful arrests and extortion activities.”
Lovitos also warned her staff from “unauthorized fabrication and production of PDEA green uniforms, unsanctioned printing of PDEA emblem and logo to any T-shirts or tarpaulins.”
The PDEA official has called on the public “to report any incident, individual or group of persons who faked themselves as PDEA agents or personnel by exploiting the noble PDEA green uniform and badge just to adeptly perform illegal activities or extortions in order to ensure impunity.”
PDEA-Caraga said relevant information may be coursed through the agency’s 24/7 hotline numbers: 099856 5063 or 09173261300. (Noel B. Najarro/PNA)
