REWARD FOR INFORMANTS. Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Aaron Aquino hands over the PHP2-million cash reward to informant "Ador" in a ceremony at the PDEA headquarters in Quezon City on Tuesday (June 26, 2018). The move is in line with the program known as Operation: "Private Eye", a reward and incentive scheme designed to encourage private citizens to report any suspected illegal drug activities in their community. (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)
MANILA -- At least 12 informants received cash rewards amounting to more than PHP7.3 million from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Tuesday.
The cash rewards were given under PDEA's Operation: "Private Eye" (OPE), a scheme designed to encourage private citizens to report any suspected illegal drug activity in their community.
The Private Eye Rewards Committee, composed of members from the academe, non-government organizations, law enforcement, religious and business sectors, approved the resolution granting monetary rewards to the informants after careful and thorough deliberation.
PDEA Director General Aaron N. Aquino personally handed the rewards to the informants identified only through their codenames: Ador, Sakuragi, Jacpat, Kidlat, 24, Bungo, Mike, Kulas, Sandro, Ex-Boy, Abo, and Agila.
“I commend them for providing information that led to the arrest of 25 drug personalities, the dismantling of clandestine laboratory used in the manufacture of methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, and the seizure of over P4 billion worth of shabu, ephedrine and marijuana,” Aquino said in his speech during the ceremony.
“Community vigilance is vital in the hope of winning the war against illegal drugs. Local folks need to be PDEA’s eyes and ears in barangays to see and hear if there is an illegal drug activity happening around their neighborhood,” he added.
The informants, who wore masks to hide their identity, received their monetary rewards during a simple ceremony at the PDEA National Headquarters in Quezon City.
The awarding ceremony of PDEA OPE is done on a quarterly basis, with Tuesday’s event being the third under Aquino's leadership.
Among the informants, “Ador” received the biggest reward of PHP2 million. The information he provided resulted in the confiscation of 44,022.80 grams of shabu and the arrest of four drug personalities during the implementation of a search warrant along Banawe Street, Manresa, Quezon City on November 15, 2016.
“Sakuragi” also received PHP2 million in cash reward after providing information that led to the seizure of 529 kilograms of shabu and the arrest of two drug personalities during a lawful search in Mangga Street, San Juan City on December 23, 2016
“Mike” was rewarded with PHP1,647,233.88 after he supplied information, which resulted in the dismantling of a large-scale clandestine shabu laboratory and the seizure of 1,665 grams of ephedrine during an authorized search in Prenza Maharlika Highway, District 1, Cauayan City, Isabela on October 23, 2016.
Informant "Jacpat", meanwhile, received PHP1,181,792.74 after he supplied information resulting in the seizure of 18,6729 grams of shabu during a recovery operation in Tangali Street, Barangay San Jose, Quezon City on February 9, 2017.
Another informant known as "24", received PHP179,442.53 for giving information which led to the seizure of 2,404.8498 grams of shabu and the arrest of one drug personality during a buy-bust operation along Estrada Drive, Tetuan, Zamboanga City on December 23, 2017.
“Bungo” was awarded PHP105,159.10 after supplying information that resulted in the confiscation of 1,461.8 grams of shabu and the arrest of two drug personalities following an entrapment operation in the vicinity of Commonwealth Hospital and Medical Center, Quezon City on January 27, 2018.
A cash reward of PHP84,583.97 was given to “Agila” who provided information that led to the seizure of 996.8 grams of shabu and the arrest of four drug personalities during an entrapment operation inside Room 1004, 10th floor of Brickstone Residences, MH Del Pilar Street, Ermita, Manila on December 3, 2017.
“Kulas” received PHP72,000 after he supplied information that led to the arrest of two drug suspects and the seizure of 35,948.83 grams of marijuana during an interdiction operation along Provincial Road, Barangay Dalawa, Alilem, Ilocos Sur on March 16, 2017.
“Kidlat” was rewarded with P45,905.08 after he supplied information, which resulted in the confiscation of 1,001.1 grams of shabu and the arrest of three drug personalities following a buy-bust operation along Valdez Street, Upper Bicutan, Taguig City on December 13, 2017.
"Ex-Boy" received PHP28,504.05 for his information that led to the confiscation of 3,076.80 grams of shabu and the arrest of two drug personalities during a buy-bust operation along Commonwealth Avenue, Tandang Sora, Quezon City on May 27, 2017.
“Abo” was awarded PHP22,767.57 after supplying information, which led to the apprehension of one drug personality and the seizure of 506.70 grams of shabu following a buy-bust operation in SM City, Sta. Mesa on November 13, 2017.
“Sandro” received PHP22,119.60 after providing information resulting in the seizure of 5,485.2 grams of dried marijuana leaves, 7,750.8 grams of marijuana stalks and the arrest of two drug suspects during an interdiction operation in Sitio Lomon, Barangay Paykek, Kapangan, Benguet on April 15, 2017.
Those who want to report illegal drug activities and be eligible for Private Eye Rewards need to follow these directions:
Legibly fill out the Information Report Form (IRF) and send report to PDEA by fastest means: Fax No. (02) 927-2899; via mail/messenger to Operation: “Private Eye” c/o Room 207 PDEA Bldg., NIA Northside Road, National Government Center, Barangay Pinyahan, Quezon City; Telephone No. (02) 920-0967; or via email to: [email protected]; or by visiting the nearest PDEA Regional Office.
PDEA also has a round-the-clock message center known as the “PDEA 24/7 Text Hotlines” that is accessible to those who want to report any suspected illegal drug activity occurring in their neighborhoods.
To send anti-drug reports to PDEA 24/7 Text Hotlines, text the name of the drug users/pushers and complete information to: for SMART Subscribers - 0999-888 PDEA (7332); for Sun Subscribers - 0925-573 PDEA (7332); and for Globe Subscribers- 0927-9150616. (With reports from Rachel Banares/OJT/PNA)
