Pubdate: Sun, 30 Jul 2000 Source: Manila Bulletin (The Philippines) Contact: Muralla corner Recoletos Sts., Intramuros, Manila Fax: 527-7534 Website: http://www.mb.com.ph/frntpage.asp Author: Mario B. Casayuran CONGRESS URGED TO PASS TOUGHER ANTI-DRUGS LAW Sen. Robert Z. Barbers, chairman of the Senate public order and illegal drugs committee, yesterday expressed optimism that the illegal drug menace will soon be ''a thing of the past'' after Congress passes a tougher anti-narcotics law to replace the weak and largely ineffective Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972. Barbers said that the days of drug traffickers who have amassed millions of pesos at a cost of many ruined lives of Filipinos, mostly young, are numbered. He said he is working very hard to have his Senate Bill No. 135 passed as soon as possible more teeth to the law against drug traffickers, pushers, and other drug law violators who have become bolder in their operations. Barbers said his committee will come out with its report on his Senate bill in the second week of August which will be calendared for debate on the Senate floor. The former Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary urged his colleagues in the House of Representatives to pass the House version of his bill immediately "so that stronger anti-illegal drugs laws can be enforced next year." The Senate bill provides for a wider range of penalties for illegal drug violators and declares the mere possession of at least 10 grams of illegal substances such as shabu, opium, morphine, resin oil, and cocaine as a non-bailable offense. Barbers said the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), the Philippine National Police (PNP), and various civic and non-government organizations (NGOs) strongly support this provision, saying this will make it more difficult, if not impossible, for illegal drug operators to get away with their crime. The Senate bill abolishes the provision on plea bargaining and prohibits convicted drug traffickers and pushers from seeking probation. Another important feature of the measure, Barbers said, is the establishment of a Presidential Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) patterned after the US Drug Enforcement Agency (USDEA) and which is envisioned to be lead the government's total war against dangerous drugs. "The illegal drugs menace is now considered public enemy No.1 all over the world and poses a grave threat to our country's national security. It has alarmingly penetrated almost all sectors and levels of society including the government, business, and even law enforcement agencies, and it may only take a little more time before the Philippines becomes another Colombia," Barbers said. Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Nur Misuari had earlier testified before the Senate local government committee led by Sen. Aquilino Q. Pimentel Jr. that he himself is having a hard time trying to control the inflow of illegal drugs in the ARMM, particularly Jolo, where some Muslims had been told that shabu is a medicine for colds and other medical problems. Barbers also noted reports that some Muslim rebels, particularly members of the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf, are hooked on drugs and have allegedly resorted to drug trafficking to maintain their vice and raise funds to further their criminal activities. He cited reports that some drug-crazed Abu Sayyaf members had taken advantage of their female kidnap-for-ransom victims. Barbers said there are more concrete and effective measures to address the problem. Barbers appealed to the House to waste no time in enacting the counterpart measure of SB 135 to stop the illegal drugs trade. "The law against illegal drugs unwittingly binds the hands of law enforcers by subjecting them to legal and procedural obstacles towards the successful prosecution of drug cases. SB 135 will correct this law," Barbers said. - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk