Operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Wednesday arrested one of its priority targets in what was their first collar in Bohol after being tasked to solely carry out the government’s campaign against narcotics trade.
Suspect Leon Bas, a 41-year-old resident of Graham Street, Barangay Cogon in Tagbilaran City was nabbed through a drug buy-bust operation.
In a report, authorities indicated that PDEA agents spotted Bas selling illegal drugs near Pook Pantalan as they were monitoring his movements.
The PDEA then sent an undercover operative to conduct a staged transaction against the alleged drug dealer.
READ: Undermanned Bohol PDEA expresses concern over lead role in drug war
According to the PDEA, the suspect sold shabu worth P2,000 to the poseur-buyer leading to his immediate arrest.
Bas is now detained at the lock-up jail in Camp Dagohoy while authorities are preparing to file drug charges against him.
On Tuesday, President Rodrigo Duterte signed a directive ordering the PDEA to be the sole law enforcement agency that will carry out his war on drugs.
The policy mandated all law enforcement agencies including the military to “leave to the PDEA” the conduct of anti-illegal drug operations.
Meanwhile, the PNP was relegated to “maintain police visibility as a deterrent to illegal drug activities.”
Duterte’s directive came after the release of a Social Weather Stations survey which indicated a sharp decline in his satisfaction and trust ratings.
The president’s net satisfaction rating, although still considered “good,” dipped by 18 points to 48, according to the September poll with 1,200 Filipino respondents.
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo, through national media, earlier ascribed the rating decline to the alleged drug-related killing of three minors by PNP personnel in Metro Manila. (wm)