The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) conferred to 99 new agents their badges during the graduation rites held on September 17, 2024 at the PDEA Gymnasium, PDEA National Headquarters in Quezon City.
According Director Derrick Carreon, PDEA Public Information Office chief, the graduating class, Drug Enforcement Officers’ Basic Course (DEOBC) 2024-21 “SANHIRAYA” successfully underwent six months of training at the PDEA Academy, Silang, Cavite. Aside from the PDEA badges, they proudly received their diplomas and service pistols from the Director General and the Command Group.
The class name “SANHIRAYA” stands for “Sinanay na mga Ahenteng Nangarap at Hinirang Upang Ipagpatuloy ang Responsibilidad na Labanan ang Drogang Hadlang sa Pagyabong ng Bagong Pilipinas”.
The recruitment process began with 4,029 applicants. After a series of rigid screening and selection processes, namely the Medical and Dental Examinations; Physical Fitness Tests; Neuro-Psychological Examinations, and Panel Interviews, and six-months training where recipients are equipped with the essential knowledge and skills to become the primary implementors of Republic Act 9165, or The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, only 99 agent-trainees remained and became full-fledged drug enforcement officers.
During the Commencement Exercises, the following awards were handed over in recognition of members of the graduating class who demonstrated exemplary performance during training: The Director General’s Award, Deputy Director General for Administration’s Award, and Deputy Director General for Operation’s Award, the overall highest, second highest and third highest grades, both in academic and non-academic components of the course, respectively; The Superintendent’s Award; The Leadership Award; The Top Shot Award in Pistol Marksmanship; The Top Shot award in Rifle Marksmanship; and The Physical Fitness Proficiency Award.
An awarding ceremony for most outstanding DEOBC external and internal Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) was also scheduled to coincide with the graduation ceremony.
The graduates will have a permanent plantilla position with an entry level of Intelligence Officer I. They will be deployed to different parts of the country to augment the Agency’s workforce and address the drug problem, Director Carreon said.
