Pubdate: Sun, 23 Mar 2008 Source: Manila Bulletin (The Philippines) Contact: http://www.mb.com.ph/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/906 Author: Rizal S. Obanil NBI, PDEA STEPPING UP WAR ON DRUGS The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) are stepping up cooperative efforts in the war against illegal drugs following the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) at the PDEA national headquarters in Quezon City recently. PDEA Director General Senior Undersecretary Dionisio R. Santiago and NBI Director Nestor M. Mantaring signed the memorandum to forge closer and stronger working ties in the drive against illegal drugs. Among the salient provisions of the MoA pertaining to the NBI are: - - To assist the PDEA in collecting, processing and analyzing information on illegal drug activities. - - Maintain intelligence sharing and, upon request, assist in intelligence gathering operations conducted by the PDEA. - - Assist in counter-intelligence and investigation of the PDEA, especially with regard to government personnel and public officer suspected of or charged with involvement in illegal drug activities. - - Promote and encourage the conduct of joint operations to enhance harmonious relationship between the NBI and PDEA and efficiency in the government anti-illegal drug campaign. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek