Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency

I. Introduction
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency  (Ahensiya ng Pilipinas sa Pagpapatupad ng Batas
Laban sa Bawal na Gamot) is the lead anti-drug law enforcement agency, responsible for
preventing, investigating and combating any dangerous drugs,
controlled precursors and essential chemicals within the Philippines. The agency is tasked
with the enforcement of the penal and regulatory provisions of Republic Act No. 9165 (R.A.
9165), otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
PDEA is the implementing arm of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB).
DANGEROUS DRUGS BOARD
- The DDB was mandated to be the policy-making and coordinating agency as well as
the national clearing house on all matters pertaining to law enforcement and control of
dangerous drugs; treatment and rehabilitation of drug dependents; drug abuse
prevention, training and information; research and statistics on the drug problem and
the training of personnel engaged in these activities.
- The DDB is the policy-making and strategy-formulating body in the planning and
formulation of policies and programs on drug prevention and control. PDEA and
DDB are both under the supervision of the Office of the President of the Philippines.

II. PDEA Symbols

2.1. Logo
2.2. Official Mascots

III. Laws
 REPUBLIC ACT No. 6425 April 4, 1972
THE DANGEROUS DRUGS ACT OF 1972

- In 1972, the drug problem was just at its incipient stage, with only 20,000 drug users and
marijuana as the top choice among the users in the Philippines. This was the drug scenario
when Republic Act 6425, otherwise known as the “Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972” was
approved on March 30, 1972.

Following the proclamation of Martial Law and the promulgation of Presidential Decree No.
44, amending RA 6425, the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos, organized the Dangerous
Drugs Board on November 14, 1972 under the Office of the President.

- Seven national agencies in the country formed part of the Dangerous Drugs Board. These
are the Department of Health, Department of Social Service and Development, Department of
Education, Culture and Sports, Department of Justice, Department of National Defense,
Department of Finance and the National Bureau of Investigation.

- With “pop” culture on the rise during the 90's, the need for creative and innovative
programs that can compete with the different messages that seek to capture people’s interest
and attention has become DDB's main task.

In 1995, the DDB launched “Oplan Iwas Droga” which has become the national flagship
program on drug abuse prevention. A mascot was created to stand as an icon or
representation of the program. The mascot was named KID Listo. KID being an acronym for
Kalaban ng Ilegal na Droga.

KID Listo was brought to different schools and communities all over the country to promote
the anti-drug advocacy.
A citizen’s movement against drugs dubbed as “Mamamayan Ayaw sa Droga” or MAD also
gained popularity during the latter part of the decade. This movement was a product of the
collaboration of agencies such as the Department of the Interior and Local Government,
Philippine National Police, National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Immigration,
National Prosecution Service, Bureau of Customs and the Dangerous Drugs Board that
comprised the National Drug Law Enforcement and Prevention Coordinating Center, created
by virtue of Executive Order No. 61 in January 1999.

-For thirty years, the Republic Act No. 6425, or the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972, had been
the backbone of the drug law enforcement system in the Philippines. Despite the efforts of
various law enforcement agencies mandated to implement the law, the drug problem
alarmingly escalated with orbiting Police Officers collecting drug money. The high
profitability of the illegal drug trade, compounded by the then existing laws that imposed
relatively light penalties to offenders, greatly contributed to the gravity of the problem.

 REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9165         June 7, 2002

AN ACT INSTITUTING THE COMPREHENSIVE DANGEROUS DRUGS ACT OF
2002, REPEALING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6425, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE
DANGEROUS DRUGS ACT OF 1972, AS AMENDED, PROVIDING FUNDS
THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Recognizing the need to further strengthen existing laws governing Philippine drug law
enforcement system, the then Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed the
Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, on June 7,
2002 and it took effect on July 4, 2002. The R.A. 9165 defines more concrete courses of
action for the national anti-drug campaign and imposes heavier penalties to offenders.
The enactment of R.A. 9165 reorganized the Philippine drug law enforcement system. While
the Dangerous Drugs Board remains as the policy-making and strategy-formulating body in
planning and formulation of policies and program on drug control and prevention, it created
the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency under the Office of the President.

RA 9165 expanded the membership of the Board to include the agencies such as the
Department of the Interior and Local Government, Department of Labor and Employment,
Department of Foreign Affairs, Commission on Higher Education, National Youth
Commission, and the newly established Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. The law also
streamlined the functions of the Board and ushered in new programs and initiatives.

To get by with the fast changing and developing phase of this decade, the DDB launched a
number of programs that utilize the power of technology to improve processes, share drug
data and information and also elicit people’s participation.

Under the administration of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, drug prevention and control has
become a top priority of the government. The anti-drug campaign has been enhanced and
strengthened through the collaboration of national government agencies as well as the support
of non-government organizations, faith-based groups and the private sector.
Several policies have been instituted under this administration including the establishment of
community-based treatment and rehabilitation programs and services by local government
units and the institutionalization of Drug-Free Workplace Policies in all government offices,
including the conduct of authorized drug testing for elective local officials and appointive
public officers.

IV. The Agency

Vision
By 2020, we are a highly credible and competent Agency leading the citizenry for a drug-free
country
Mission

As the lead Agency in the enforcement of the anti-drug law, the PDEA:

 Suppresses the supply of dangerous drugs;

 Implements Dangerous Drugs Board policies;
 Controls and regulates the legitimate use of dangerous drug and controlled precursors
and essential chemicals;
 Supervises the anti-drug activities of the drug law enforcement agencies;
 Coordinates the participation of all stakeholders in the anti-drug campaign.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Core Values

 Professional – We are committed to act with integrity in the performance of our duties, be
proficient and reliable, and provide quality service to our stakeholders.
 Dynamic – We endeavor to be actively responsive with the changing trends and needs of
the Agency.
 Excellence Driven – We strive to exceed expectations and deliver results of the highest
quality.
 Accountable – We take full accountability and responsibility for all actions and conduct in
a manner that would earn the respect, trust and confidence of the people.

Mandate
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) is responsible for efficient law
enforcement of all provisions on any dangerous drugs and/or precursors and essential
chemicals.
Functions
As the lead agency in the fight against illegal drugs, the law confers PDEA with the
following functions to attain its mission:
1. Implement or cause the efficient and effective implementation of the national drug control
strategy formulated by the Dangerous Drugs Board;
2. Undertake the enforcement of the provisions of Article II of RA 9165 relative to the
unlawful acts and penalties involving any dangerous drug and/or controlled precursor and
essential chemicals;
3. Administer oath and issue subpoena and subpoena duces tecum relative to the conduct of
investigation involving the violations of RA 9165;
4. Arrest and apprehend as well as search all violators and seize or confiscate the effects or
proceeds of the crimes as provided by law;
5. Take charge and have custody of all dangerous drugs and/or controlled precursors and
essential chemicals seized, confiscated or surrendered to any national, provincial or local law
enforcement agency;
6. Establish a forensic laboratory in each PNP office in every province and city in order to
facilitate action on seized or confiscated drugs, thereby hastening their destruction without
delay;
7. Recommend to the DOJ the forfeiture of properties and other assets of persons and/or
corporations found to be violating the provisions of RA 9165 and in accordance with the
pertinent provisions of the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2001;
8. Prepare for prosecution or cause the filing of appropriate criminal and civil cases for
violation of all laws on dangerous drugs, controlled precursors and essential chemicals, and
other similar controlled substances;
9. Monitor and if warranted by circumstances, in coordination with the Philippine Postal
Office and the Bureau of Customs, inspect all air cargo packages, parcels and mails in the
central post office;
10.Conduct eradication programs to destroy wild or illegally grown plants from which
dangerous drugs may be extracted;
11.Initiate and undertake the formation of a nationwide organization which shall coordinate
and supervise all activities against drug abuse in every province, city, municipality and
barangay;
12.Establish and maintain a national drug intelligence system in cooperation with law
enforcement agencies, other government agencies/offices and local government units that
will assist in the apprehension of big-time drug lords;
13.Establish and maintain close coordination, cooperation and linkages with international
drug control and administration agencies and organizations;
14.Create and maintain an efficient special enforcement unit to conduct an investigation, file
charges and transmit evidence to the proper court;
15.Require all government and private hospitals, clinics, doctors, dentists and other
practitioners to submit a report to it;
16.Coordinate with the DDB for the facilitation of the issuance of necessary guidelines, rules
and regulations for the proper implementation of RA 9165;
17.Initiate and undertake a national campaign for drug prevention and control programs,
where it may enlist the assistance of any department, bureau, office, agency or
instrumentality of the government, including government-owned and/or controlled
corporations; and
18.Submit annual and periodic reports to the DDB as may be required from time to time, and
perform such other functions as may be authorized or required under existing laws and as
directed by the President.

V. Organizational Chart
- The PDEA is headed by a Director General with the rank of Undersecretary and
assisted by two (2) Deputy Director Generals: one for Operation and the other for
Administration, both with the rank of Assistant Secretary. The PDEA has national
staff services as provided for in RA 9165. In addition, the law enables the
establishment of PDEA Academy to oversee the recruitment and training of all PDEA
agents and personnel. Further, the Agency maintains and supports 17 regional offices.
This table lists all PDEA Directors General, their dates of service, and under which
administration they served.

Director General Term Administration

USEC. Anselmo S. Avenido, Jr.

July 2002 – April 2006 Arroyo
(Ret. PDDG)

April 2006 – January Arroyo, Aquino

USEC. Dionisio R. Santiago (Ret. GEN)
2011 III

USEC. Jose S. Gutierrez, Jr. January 2011 – October

Aquino III
(Ret. PCSUPT) 2012

October 2012 – June

USEC. Arturo G. Cacdac, Jr. (Ret. PDDG) Aquino III
2016

USEC. Isidro S. Lapeña, Ph.D., CSEE July 2016 – August

Duterte
(Ret. PDDG) 2017

September 2017 – May

USEC. Aaron N. Aquino (Ret. PCSUPT) Duterte
2020

USEC. Wilkins M. Villanueva, MPA,

May 2020 – present Duterte
CESE

VI. Qualifications
PDEA Academy
- PDEA maintains its own PDEA Academy temporarily located at Camp General
Mariano N. Castañeda in Silang, Cavite. The PDEA Academy is headed by a
superintendent, with the rank of director. It is responsible in the recruitment and
training of all PDEA agents and personnel. The PDEA Academy formulates programs
of instructions on basic and specialized anti-drug training courses as well as career
courses for all PDEA Agents and Personnel.
HOW TO JOIN THE PDEA | Qualification, Requirements and Recruitment Process
Qualifications for Intelligence Officer 1:
 21 – 35 years old
 5’2” in height for males, 5’ in height for females (with NCIP-issued Certificate of
Confirmation (COC) if under height)
 Baccalaureate degree holder
 Eligible for Career Service Second Level Position (CS Professional / Board exam
passer / qualified by CSC / under special laws)
 Willing to be assigned anywhere in the Philippines
 Willing to undergo 6 months rigid training
Do not apply if you are not:
 Computer literate
 Of good moral background
 Physically fit
 Proficient in oral & written communication skills