The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency on Thursday released a P11.6-million reward to eight civilian informants under Operation: Private Eye (OPE).
PDEA director general Isagani Nerez lauded the informants, identified only through their code names, for providing information that led to the successful conduct of nine anti-drug operations, resulting in the seizure of sizable amounts of illegal drugs and the arrest of high-value drug personalities.
The recipients of the bounty wore face masks during the ceremony to retain their anonymity.
Four informants received the biggest reward of P2 million each.
Among the results of the information they provided was the seizure of 49,705 grams of shabu and the arrest of two drug suspects during a buy-bust operation in South Green Heights Village, Barangay Putatan, Muntinlupa City on March 14, and confiscation of 39,859 grams of shabu and the arrest of one drug personality following another buy-bust operation in Barangay Pantok, Binangonan, Rizal on March 19.
OPE is a monetary incentive program designed to encourage private citizens to report any suspected illegal drug activities in their communities.
“These private citizens took it upon themselves to report suspicious drug-related activities not minding their own safety. To return the favor, PDEA assured them that all information received were handled with utmost confidentiality,” Nerez said.
“In a literal sense, vigilance pays off. Reliable information in exchange for monetary consideration. Imagine, if more members of the community are vigilant and proactive in combatting the drug trade, a vast network of eyes and ears remains at PDEA’s disposal. It is definitely a huge boost for us considering our limited manpower,” he added.
