Press release of Senate Majority Leader Vicente C. Sotto III

The country's relentless efforts to contain the illegal drugs trade has taken a notch higher with the creation of the Philippine Narcotic Enforcement Officers Association (PNEOA), a drug enforcement group that will establish and possibly, institutionalize mutual cooperation between law enforcers and community leaders.

Befitting the formal launching of PNEOA, which incidentally will have as its chair Senate Majority Leader Vicente C. Sotto III, was the conferment awards to exemplary performance of dedicated men and women from the government's anti-narcotics community, to include the recognition of nine from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) posthumously.

"It's high time that we recognize the invaluable efforts of these law enforcement officers who have not only been instrumental to the success of government's campaign against illegal drugs and drug abuse, but dedicated their own lives in winning the war against illegal drugs," the Majority Leader said.

Included in the roster of outstanding law enforcement officers were former PDEA director general Dionisio R. Santiago, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) director Magtangol B. Gatdula, current PDEA director general Jose Gutierrez, and the newly appointed Customs Commissioner Ruffino Biazon and officers from the Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine Navy, Bureau of Customs, Philippine National Police, Philippine Marines and Philippine Air Force.

Sen. Sotto III led the ceremonies Monday night that carried the theme "Saving the Filipino Youth," held at the Midas Hotel in Roxas Blvd., Pasay City, with Sen. Gregorio Honasan - chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs - as guest of honor.

Patterned after the US-based, non-profit membership organization of drug enforcement community, International Narcotic Enforcement Officers Association (INOEA) where Sen. Sotto III has been conferred with the honor of a Hall of Famer Award, PNEOA aims to carry out the same objectives - that of bringing in together law enforcers from various government offices engaged particularly in combating illegal drugs trade and substance abuse cases in the country.

PNEOA aims to strengthen the government's campaign against drug trafficking and rising number of cases of drug addiction by promoting and fostering mutual cooperation, discussion, and interest confronting the country's issues on narcotic trafficking and drug abuse.

While the main objective of which is to enlist the support and cooperation of professionals who are directly or indirectly engaged in narcotic enforcement, PNEOA also eyeing of devising ways in which the drug addiction problem in the Philippines through mutual cooperation, including the possibility of introducing legislation, strategy and programs of government agencies.

PNEOA also intends to recognize the efforts of dedicated men and women in the who have provided invaluable experience and knowledge in their respective areas of expertise.

They also intend to lend assistance to families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.