The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on March 23, 2017 conferred to 85 new agents their PDEA badges during the 9th PDEA Academy Commencement Exercises for the Drug Enforcement Officers’ Basic Course (DEOBC) held at the PDEA Gymnasium, PDEA National Headquarters in Quezon City.

PDEA Director General Isidro S. Lapeña congratulated the 85 agents of DEOBC 16-09 SINALIGAN class, the ninth batch of drug enforcement officers who successfully completed six months of training at the PDEA Academy under the leadership of Academy Superintendent Director Aileen Lovitos.

The class name SINALIGAN stands for Sinanay na Lehitimong Indibidwal na Gagampanan ang Adhikaing Labanan ang Nakasisirang Droga.

The ninth batch of PDEA agent-trainees has passed rigid screening and selection processes, namely the Neuro-Psychological Examinations, Medical and Physical Examinations, Agility Tests, Background Investigation and Panel Interview.

On August 31, 2016, 100 qualified agent-trainees of the DEOBC Class 16-09 began their six-month training at the PDEA Academy, Silang, Cavite.

“Only 85 agent-trainees successfully hurdled the rigorous training to become bonafide drug enforcement officers. I have high expectations that these additional front liners in the national anti-drug campaign will exemplify the PDEA core values of being professional, dynamic, excellence-driven and accountable,” Lapeña said.

“This is the first batch of PDEA agents to graduate under my term as Director General. I am proud to present the latest addition to the PDEA family, the product of our very own academy. PDEA is set to infuse more new blood into the war against illegal drugs,” Lapeña added.