PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino tries out one of the high-powered firearms and protective shield to be used in the campaign against illegal drugs. AL PADILLA

The Philippine Drug Enforcement (PDEA) has strengthened its arsenal of high-powered firearms and protective gear and distributed them to its regional units on Friday as part of the agency’s effort to boost its capability in spearheading the government’s campaign against illegal drugs.

According to PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino, the agency procured over P79 million worth of firearms and protective equipment.

The new PDEA equipment include caliber .45 pistols, bulletproof vests and tactical protective shields.

Aquino said PDEA bought 838 units of bulletproof vests worth P50.28 million and 20 pieces of tactical protective ballistic shields with a total value of P13.96 million.

The bulletproof vests are made of 100-percent Kevlar Aramid ballistic fabric protected from degradation if submerged in water.

These vests are categorized as Level III-A designed to stop body penetration of firearm-fired projectiles and explosives shrapnel. They can protect persons wearing the vests from the impact of caliber 9mm, caliber .45 and Magnum .44 bullets.

Likewise, the tactical protective shields are also Level III-A, capable of defeating centerfire caliber lead core projectile threats from caliber .45, Magnum 44 and even 7.62 bullets used in AK-47 rifles.

Meanwhile, PDEA also bought short firearms consisting of 479 units of caliber .45 (Jericho 941 FS) pistols with a total value of P15.351 million.

“These pieces of equipment are part of our operational capacity and capability enhancement program as we vow to intensify our fight against big-time drug lords and high-value targets across the country,” Aquino said in his message during the turn-over rites at PDEA headquarters in Quezon City.