Statement of Senator Joel Villanueva on the recent drug bust conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency at Ayala Alabang

Congratulations to our antinarcotics agents from Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for its successful operation last night at Ayala Alabang. The operation prevented P1.1 billion worth of shabu from hitting the streets here and abroad where agents believe it will be shipped out. We hope that the PDEA keeps pressing on with their campaign to get rid of drugs in the country.

Malamang ang mga dayuhang nahuli sa buy-bust operation ng PDEA ay walang karampatang permit na manatili o magtrabaho dito. Naniniwala po ako na mas mapapadali po ang trabaho ng ating mga antinarcotics agents kung sa point of entry pa lang, sinasala na ng maigi ang mga pumapasok sa ating bansa. Wala po dapat puwang sa ating bayan ang mga nagdadala ng iligal na droga, at hindi dapat pinapayagan na makatungtong, at lalong lalo na na magtrabaho, ang mga taong ito sa ating bayan.

We have to do a better job at securing our borders, and preventing undesirable foreigners from entering our shores. That's why we look forward to the memorandum circular being drafted by the labor department which should address the growing problem of illegal foreign workers in the country.

Secretary Bello mentioned that the interagency task force agreed to implement a process wherein a foreign national intending to work here in the country must secure a working permit and visa at the country of origin. Inaasahan natin na mababawasan ang mga iligal na banyagang manggagawa dito sa atin kapag nailatag na ang bagong panuntunan na ito.