Allotted a P2.5-billion budget next year, the PDEA would buy more guns, vehicles, drug-sniffing dogs and communication equipment, Aquino said. Aquino said PDEA would embark on an active advocacy campaign and push for the creation of reformation centers called “Balay Silangan” for drug users who surrender. In these centers, former drug users will be given livelihood and training, after care services as well as community and social reintegration programs to be done by government and non-government organizations. In October, Mr. Duterte tasked the PDEA, which has only 1,251 drug enforcers, with leading the anti-drug campaign. From Sept. 12 to Dec. 20, the PDEA and other agencies conducted 6,858 anti-drug operations that arrested 7,990 drug suspects.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer December 22, 2017 13:18 UTC