PDEA, Indonesia narcotics body ink pact to fight drug trafficking

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Indonesia’s own anti-illegal drugs body have partnered in fighting illegal drug trafficking in the two countries.

The PDEA and National Narcotics Board of Indonesia agreed to collaborate in combating trafficking of illegal drugs, psychotropic substances and drug precursors.

In a memorandum of understanding, the two countries agreed on information exchange on intelligence materials, methods of drug trafficking and possible routes, new and emerging forms of illegal drugs.

PDEA director general Arturo Cacdac Jr. and Indonesia’s Anang Iskandar inked the agreement on Monday at Malacañang.

Cacdac said the agreement “manifests in the strongest possible terms the ardent desires of both countries to pool their manpower, expertise, resources and efforts towards the achievement of a common goal.”

“Recognizing that illegal drugs pose a serious threat to the people’s health, security and general welfare and adversely affect a nation’s economic, social, cultural and political foundations, we pledged to work together to liberate their territories from the clutches of the drug menace,” he said.

The signing of the agreement with Indonesia is one of the highlights of the two-day state visit of Indonesian president Joko Widodo to the country.