Philippine and U.S. law enforcers will start a 4-week joint training course in Davao City, southern Philippines, Monday to boost efforts against drug trafficking in Asia, local media reported Sunday.

Dubbed "Baker Piston," the training course is part of the United States' Asia-wide program to help improve effectiveness in counter-drug operations like investigations and raids, according to GMA TV.

"Our Philippine counter-drug professionals appreciate intensive training in order to strengthen the effectiveness of our anti-drug operations and enhance our ability to work jointly with other law enforcement and security agencies," Wilkins Viullanueva, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency regional director was quoted as saying.

Villanueva said that the training course will lead to increased arrests and prosecutions of the drug dealers who threaten children and families throughout the country.

At least 40 Filipino police officers, counter-drug agents and military personnel will attend the 4-week intensive training course sponsored by the U.S. government.

Source: Xinhua