Vigilance Pays Off: PDEA Releases P11.6M Reward to 8 Civilian Informant
Eight informants received ₱11,633.843.48 cash rewards from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on May 22, 2025 under Operation: Private Eye (OPE), a monetary incentive program designed to encourage private citizens to report any suspected illegal drug activities in their communities.
Secretary Oscar F Valenzuela, Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Chairman, and PDEA Director General Undersecretary Isagani R. Nerez led the awarding ceremony. Undersecretary 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 considerable amounts of illegal drugs and the arrest of high-value drug personalities. They wore full-face masks during the ceremony to keep their anonymity.
Four informants received the biggest reward of ₱2,000,000.00 apiece. Among the reports they supplied to authorities resulted in the seizure of 49,705.20 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu and the arrest of two drug personalities during a buy-bust operation in South Green Heights Village, Barangay Putatan, Muntinlupa City on March 14, 2025; and confiscation of 39,859.60 grams of shabu and the arrest of one drug personality following a buy-bust operation in Barangay Pantok, Binangonan, Rizal on March 19, 2025.
The Operation Private Eye Reward Committee, composed of PDEA key officers and members from the business, academe, and religious sectors with proven integrity and probity, evaluated, deliberated, and approved the resolution granting the monetary rewards to the informants.
“These private citizens took it upon themselves to report suspicious drug-related activities, not minding their safety. To return the favor, PDEA assured them that all information received was handled with utmost confidentiality”, Undersecretary 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 combating the drug trade, a vast network of eyes and ears remains at PDEA’s disposal. It is a huge boost for us considering our limited manpower”, the PDEA Chief added.
“The participation of the citizenry is crucial in transforming the country into a “Bagong Pilipinas” under President Ferdinand R Marcos, Jr. The programs of the government can only succeed with the cooperation of the Filipino people”, the Director General expressed. Photos: Luis R Villacarlos
