A high ranking police officer in Oriental Negros said recently that the absence of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency personnel in the province has adversely affected the campaign against illegal drugs.

Chief Inspector Julius Muñez, 705th Provincial Mobile Group director, said they find difficulty in conducting drug raids because Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, requires the presence of a PDEA personnel during an operation. The presence of representatives from the Prosecutor's Office, media, and barangay, is also required, he said.

Muñez said policemen detailed to PDEA were pulled out on July 4 this year. This hampered their plans to conduct raids on suspected drug lairs, he added.

He said RA 9165 should be amended to exclude a PDEA representative from witnessing the raid.

He, however, assured the public that they will sustain the campaign against the drug menace through buy-bust operations.*RA

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