NAPOLCOM approves creation of Drug Enforcement Units nationwide

The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) approved the reorganization and renaming of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Anti-Illegal Drugs Group (AIDG) to PNP Drug Enforcement Group (PNP-DEG) and the creation of Drug Enforcement Units (DEUs) under the PNP territorial units nationwide to further strengthen the government’s war on drugs.

This is in compliance with the recent order of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte for the PNP to resume its campaign against illegal drugs after it was temporarily suspended to pave the way for a new strategy that would accelerate the implementation of the government’s programs in eradicating the problem on illegal drugs in the country.

NAPOLCOM Vice-Chairman and Executive Officer Atty. Rogelio T. Casurao said that the Commission issued Resolution No. 2017-317 dated June 2, 2017 approving the proposals of the PNP for the reorganization and renaming of the PNP-DEG and the creation of PNP-DEUs to make the police force more effective and efficient in the campaign against illegal drugs and substances.

“The creation of Drug Enforcement Units aims to intensify the government’s war on drugs to effectively deal with the complexity of drug operations, involvement of organized crime groups in drug trafficking, and in the dismantling of clandestine drug laboratories and other plant sources of illegal drugs,” Atty. Casurao said.

The PNP-DEG shall conduct all-out and sustained operations against national and international syndicates and personalities engaged in the production, importation and trafficking of illegal drugs in support of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

The PNP-DEUs, on the other hand, shall act as the operating arms of the PNP in the regional level down to the city and municipal levels and shall implement the PNP’s anti-illegal drug strategy in their respective areas of responsibility.

The Commission also enjoined the PNP-DEG and PNP-DEUs to maintain linkages with other law enforcement agencies and strengthen community participation against the illegal drug menace.