Pubdate: Tue, 03 Dec 2002 Source: Sun.Star Cebu (Philippines) Copyright: 2002 Sun.Star Contact: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1690 Author: Elias O. Baquero JAPANESE COPS IN TOWN TO BACK ANTI-DRUG DRIVE THREE Japanese police officers arrived in Cebu yesterday to help the Philippine National Police (PNP) in its fight against illegal drugs in the country. They are Police Inspector Yuji Yanagisawa of the Tokyo firearms and drug enforcement division, Inspector Shinji Kobayashi of the Osaka International Chemical Investigation Division, and Dr. Takayaki Shibayama of the Research Institute of Scientific Chemical Investigation of Kagawa, Japan. They were welcomed by Senior Supt. Robelito Comilang of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA 7) and PDEA legal consultant Clarence Paul Oaminal. The Japanese policemen said they are coordinating with international agencies in the fight against illegal drugs under the auspices of Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica). They said their expertise on drug detection, prevention and solution can be of big help to the PNP in the anti-illegal drug campaign in the Philippines. There are several airline flights between Japan-Mactan and Japan-Manila, thus maintaining good business relations. This time, Yuji said, the two countries want to coordinate in crime solutions and prevention, especially that there are also thousands of Filipinos in Japan, and Japanese in the Philippines. The Japanese police and the PNP are holding series of seminars about illegal drugs and visit the different drug rehabilitation centers in the country up to Dec. 11, 2002. In his memorandum to Comilang, Chief Supt. Rodolfo Caisip, PDEA chief, said the Japanese experts will observe the rehabilitation centers and suggest for its improvement. The Japanese experts, Comilang said, will stay in the country for 29 days from Nov. 13 to Dec. 11, 2002. Since last Nov. 13, the Japanese experts made courtesy calls to PNP officials, conducted seminars on anti-illegal drug operation, and briefings on the illegal drug situation in the world. "Illegal drug problem is becoming serious in various parts of the world and our coming to Cebu is part of Jica's effort to eradicate drug addiction," Yuji said. While Jica is financing infrastructure projects in the Philippines through grants, it is also sending experts in various parts of the world in the fight against drug addiction. - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk