ZAMBOANGA CITY – Key law enforcement agencies and partner organizations convened on March 24, 2025, for the 1st Quarter Regional Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (RLECC) IX Meeting at the PRO 9 Bigkis Lahi Multi-Purpose Hall. The meeting addressed pressing peace and order concerns in the Zamboanga Peninsula, with a major agenda item focusing on finalizing the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the establishment of Inter-Agency Anti-Illegal Drugs Interdiction Task Groups (IADITG) at the Zamboanga International Airport and Port of Zamboanga.
Atty. Carlyn T. Joson-Yurong presented the MOA, which outlines the legal framework, coordination mechanisms, and operational strategies to enhance inter-agency efforts against drug trafficking at these key entry points. The initiative aims to strengthen collaboration among agencies to ensure a more effective and institutionalized approach to interdiction.
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office 9 (PDEA RO9) Regional Director Maharani R. Gadaoni-Tosoc expressed full support for the initiative, emphasizing its significance in bolstering security and curbing drug smuggling in the region. Similarly, Police Brigadier General Roel C. Rodolfo of PRO9 and Rear Admiral Francisco G. Tagamolila Jr. of the Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NAVFORWEM) echoed their strong commitment, underscoring the importance of unified action and efficient resource deployment to secure land and maritime borders.
Strengthening Inter-Agency Support Through Resource Provision
The meeting also underscored inter-agency solidarity through a symbolic turnover of essential resources to PDEA RO9. The Regional Advisory Group for Police Transformation and Development (RAGPTD) of PRO9 handed over two laptops and a Book of Law Issuance on drug enforcement to PDEA Regional Director Gadaoni-Tosoc.
The provision of laptops aims to enhance intelligence sharing, data management, and administrative efficiency, while the Book of Law Issuance serves as a critical legal reference to guide enforcement operations. This act of support reflects the continued commitment of law enforcement agencies to strengthening PDEA’s operational capabilities and fostering a more coordinated approach to combating illegal drug activities in the region.
As agencies continue to enhance collaboration and accountability, the establishment of IADITGs at major entry points marks a crucial step toward a more robust and sustained anti-drug campaign in the Zamboanga Peninsula.