COTABATO CITY — As part of its expansion program to address the illegal drug problem that continues to hound local residents, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 12 (Soccsksargen) has put up a new office in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato province.
The PDEA-North Cotabato office is located along De Mazenod Ave., Barangay Poblacion, Kidapawan City and was inaugurated on Friday.
Kath Abad, speaking for PDEA-12, said the establishment of the North Cotabato provincial office is in compliance with the national PDEA directive that each province should have its own PDEA office.
“We bring our office closer to the people and to improve our campaign against persons involved in illegal drugs,” Abad said in a radio interview here Saturday.
More so, Abad explained that though the number of persons involved in the illegal drug trade in North Cotabato has been reduced, it does not mean that the agency will lower its guard.
“The drug trade will continue as long as there are people patronizing it that eventually destroy one’s life. We are bound to stop that social menace,” she said.
Director Naravy Duquiatan of PDEA-12 led the inauguration and blessing of the new office, along with Kidapawan City Mayor Joseph Evangelista as special guest.
Duquiatan has appealed to the people of North Cotabato to help PDEA contain the social menace by reporting to authorities anyone involved in the illegal drug trade. (PNA)
