The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Negros Oriental is stepping up security measures at various ports to prevent the entry of illegal drugs in the province, an official said.

PDEA provincial chief Elmer Ebona told the Philippine News Agency in an interview that the seaports and the airport will be closely monitored as these are potential entry points of illegal substances.

“We will be conducting random inspections, as we cannot do it daily, but we will be collaborating with other law enforcement units as soon as a multi-agency task force is created,” Ebona added.

According to him, there are limitations in the inspection of baggage, cargoes and other items at the ports, which hinder the operations of law enforcement agencies.

Not all ports have X-ray scanners, especially at roll-on/roll-off (RORO) facilities, where vehicles are loaded directly onto vessels without passing inspection, he pointed out.

The PDEA here has K-9 narcotic detection dogs specifically trained to locate concealed drugs, he pointed out.

In addition to illegal drugs, undocumented firearms and smuggled cigarettes are being brought into the province undetected as well.

Ebona said securing these entry and exit points will help law enforcement achieve the shared goal of making local communities safe.

PDEA, as the primary agency in the government’s campaign against illegal drugs, will initiate and establish a multi-agency task force in the province, to include the Philippine National Police, Philippine Coast Guard, Maritime Police, Philippine Ports Authority, and other related agencies for a strengthened and coordinated strategy to tackle the illegal drug problem, he said.

This aligns with the vision of recently appointed PDEA – Negros Island Region Director II Melvin S. Estoque to bolster anti-drug initiatives, enhance intelligence collection, and execute programs for a drug-free and safer community, he noted. (PNA)