PDEA-6 CHIEF WELCOMES PGMA'S ASSUMPTION AS 'ANTI-DRUGS CZAR'

The director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)
regional office in Western Visayas (Region 6) has welcomed President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's move to assume as the "anti-drugs czar" to
show her administration's determination to eradicate the drug menace
in the country.

PDEA-6 Director Roybel Sanchez said that with the seriousness of the
President in addressing the problem, the government's campaign
against the illegal drugs trade would be further bolstered.

"The President could get the cooperation of other government agencies
in the intensified campaign against drugs," the PDEA director added.

Sanchez also noted that despite the controversy sparked by the drugs
case against the so-called "Alabang Boys," the morale of the 31 PDEA
personnel and operatives in the region remains very high.

"We just continue on carrying out our work," he said.

He added that right now, there is no more soldier assigned at the
PDEA Regional Office 6 because the two soldiers previously assigned
here were recalled back to their national headquarters.

Sanchez said he is expecting that they would have additional
personnel during the first quarter of this year. (PNA)