The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has awarded nearly P9.6 million in cash incentives to 18 civilian informants whose information led to major anti-drug operations across the country, as it urged more Filipinos to report illegal drug activities.

PDEA said the informants, who were described as "silent heroes," received a total of P9,664,465.75 under the agency's “Operation Private Eye” (OPE) program during rites held on Thursday, June 25.

Six informants personally received their incentives at the PDEA headquarters in Quezon City while the rest collected their rewards through various PDEA regional offices. Their identities were withheld for security reasons.

“These individuals are silent heroes. Their courage saved lives, disrupted criminal operations, and strengthened our campaign against illegal drugs,” PDEA Director General Isagani R. Nerez said.

PDEA said it continues to encourage the public to provide information on illegal drug activities, stressing that citizen reports have remained a key source of intelligence in operations that target drug syndicates and high-value individuals.

“Without their willingness to come forward, many of these operations would not have been possible. Their actions proved that ordinary citizens can make an extraordinary difference,” Nerez said.

PDEA said information provided by the 18 informants led to 23 major anti-drug operations which resulted in the dismantling of drug networks, the seizure of large volumes of illegal drugs, and the arrest of several high-value drug personalities.

Among the recipients, two informants each received P2 million for information that led to major operations.

One tip led authorities to the dismantling of a medium-scale clandestine drug laboratory during a buy-bust operation conducted by PDEA Regional Office 4A and the Cavite Provincial Office at an industrial park in Barangay Veinte Reales, Valenzuela City on Jan. 22, 2026. Authorities seized large quantities of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu and precursor chemicals during the operation.

Another informant received the same amount after providing information that led to the seizure of 46,946.13 grams of cocaine and the arrest of a drug suspect in a buy-bust operation conducted by the PDEA National Capital Region Southern District Office in Barangay La Mesa, Calamba, Laguna on Feb. 21, 2026.

“These results reflect the power of shared responsibility in law enforcement. When citizens choose to act, criminal networks lose their invisibility. That is how we suppress illegal drugs in the barangays,” Nerez said.

PDEA said the Operation Private Eye reward committee, which is composed of senior agency officials and representatives from the business, academic, and religious sectors, reviewed all reward applications to ensure transparency and accountability.

Aligned with the vision of “Bagong Pilipinas”, Nerez asserted that the fight against illegal drugs is no longer the government’s burden alone, but a shared national responsibility.

“We are calling on every Filipino: be vigilant, be responsible, be involved. Your information can save communities. Your voice can dismantle drug networks. Together, we can build a safer and stronger Bagong Pilipinas,” he said.

PDEA urged the public to report illegal drug activities through the Operation Private Eye hotline at 0917-867-7332.