PINAGKALOOBAN ng Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) ng P14,758,156.99 monetary reward ang 30 confidential informants na nagbigay ng impormasyon na nagresulta sa matagumpay na anti-drug operations at pagkakumpiska ng malaking volume ng illegal drugs, sa awarding ceremony sa PDEA National Headquarters noong Disyembre 21.

“The granting of financial rewards and incentives is under PDEA ‘Operation Private Eye,’ a citizen-based information collection program designed to encourage the active participation of private citizens to report illegal drug activities in their communities,” ani PDEA Director General Wilkins M. Villanueva.

Kabilang sa nakatanggap ng cash rewards ay kinilala lamang sa kanilang codenames na sina Papa Mike, Diego, Ron, Budo, Sam Milby, Nasser Usman, Bobby, Sator, Mohhamed Salem, Ferdi, Yowbib, Serpent, Bato, Dhats, Ding, JayR, Mane, Boboy, Monte, Eco, Bagwis, Ric, Jun, Indah Taba, Ranger, Emo, Mambo, Tukil, Musang at Ben.

Ngunit dahil sa pandemic situation, pito lamang sa informants na nakatanggap ng pinakamataas na monetary rewards, ang inimbitahan sa nasabing seremonya.

Kabilang sa mga ito ay sina Ric, Eco, Emo, Jun, Musang, Serpent at Ferdi.

Ang Private Eye Rewards Committee ay binubuo ng mga miyembro mula academe, non-government organizations, law enforcement, religious and business sectors, na tumatalakay at nag-aapruba sa pagbibigay ng cash rewards sa confidential informants.

“Operation Private Eye is one way of encouraging the public to help the government’s anti-drug campaign by providing cash reward in exchange for information resulting in the seizure of illegal drugs and arrest of drug personalities,” ani Villanueva. (JOEL O. AMONGO)