PDEA partners with delivery service firm vs online drug trafficking
By Chito Chavez
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has teamed up with a private delivery service firm in a bid to address the country’s online illegal drug trafficking woes.
In the memorandum of agreement signed between the PDEA and the Flash Express Philippines, Co., Ltd. Inc., both parties agreed to synchronize efforts to prevent the delivery and/or transportation of packages containing illegal drugs and controlled precursors and essential chemicals (CPECs) into the country.
Flash Express Philippines pledged to enjoin their accredited delivery service drivers to report suspicious packages that may contain illegal drugs to PDEA, and implement policies on drug-free workplace across the company.
PDEA Director General Isagani R. Nerez said Flash Express Philippines may unknowingly handle packages that have been misdeclared or fraudulently shipped by individuals engaged in drug trafficking “despite diligent efforts to prevent illegal drug activities.’’
Under these circumstances, Perez stressed that the scenario may make a delivery service driver an unwitting conduit of drug trafficking by bringing the contraband right to the doorstep of consumers.
“Through this agreement, we are taking proactive steps to align our operations with national anti-drug efforts,” Flash Express Philippines noted.
Nerez asserted that the collaborative culture with various stakeholders of the national anti-drug campaign is one of the best ways to solve “a gargantuan problem like illegal drugs.’’
He stated that this is embodied in the vision of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr. for the country, emphasizing unity and involvement of the citizenry as main fibers for the full realization of a “Bagong Pilipinas.”
“The MOA was formally signed by Nerez and Reginald Rex Pumihic, Deputy Director for Communications and Government Relations of Flash Express Philippines last June 11.