International drug syndicates may be using dredging vessels to smuggle illegal drugs into the Philippines.
This concern was raised by Senator Raffy Tulfo, who suggested that agents from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) should be included in inspection teams that examine large vessels arriving in the country for dredging operations.
During discussions regarding the proposed 2025 budget for PDEA, Tulfo noted that drug lords might exploit these dredging vessels to transport illegal drugs, particularly those arriving from countries suspected of being drug sources.
“On a weekly basis, many vessels from other countries arrive here to do dredging, and these are large ships with many crews. Drugs can be hidden in bags or sacks and placed in the engine or under the bed. However, if the PDEA and Coast Guard join forces, we can ensure that 99 percent of what enters the country is free of illegal drugs, and these illegal drugs will not be able to get through,” he stated.
PDEA officials welcomed the senator’s suggestion and pledged to coordinate with the Department of Transportation.
Tulfo also urged PDEA to update its drug list, emphasizing the need for accurate and current information to effectively combat illegal drug trafficking.
He expressed concern for poor, innocent Filipinos who often become unintended victims of the war on drugs. A verified drug list would help protect the rights of these vulnerable individuals.
“When someone is placed on the ‘order of battle’ list, their life is at risk. They could be framed, imprisoned, or worse. I am against drugs, but I hope that truly innocent people are not falsely accused or imprisoned simply because they became targets,” he said.
