Pubdate: Thu, 06 Nov 2003 Source: Manila Bulletin (The Philippines) Contact: http://www.mb.com.ph/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/906 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines (Philippines) BARBERS: APPLY FULL FORCE OF LAW TO DEAL DANGEROUS DRUG PROBLEM Alarmed by the seemingly unabated proliferation of illegal drugs, despite government's intensified crackdown against narcotics, Senator Robert Barbers said yesterday that the nearly R3 billion worth of drugs seized and destroyed since October of last year merely confirms that the drug problem is posing a "clear and present danger" to the country. The huge amount of drug money, he said, is more than enough for drug syndicates to buy political power by financing candidates in the upcoming polls to further perpetuate their nefarious criminal activities. Echoing President Arroyo's directive to grant no compromise to drug lords and their protectors, Barbers went a step further saying that "drug syndicates and their cohorts in the military, police and public service should be dealt with the full force of law". "Considering the heinousness of crimes spawned by illegal drugs, high-profile drug lords should be harshly punished. No less than the Chief Executive minced no word exempting them from death thru lethal injection. Thus, it's high time to enforce our laws to curb the rampant drug menace," Barbers said, adding that the future is "dreadful and bleak" for the 52 million youth who are helplessly being victimized by remorseless narco-criminals. Barbers also warned the military, police and corrupt politicians who are on "drug payroll" in exchange for protection. He said that "mulcting cops" caught extorting from jailed pushers must be made to answer for their unlawful transgressions. "These unscrupulous men in uniform are frustrating the sincere effort of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to fight against the drug menace. Instead of running after drug syndicates and criminals, they ended up being the 'protectors'. Certainly these cops don' t deserve their badges and uniforms," the administration senator lamented. Being the principal author of the "Anti-Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002", Barbers therfor urged PNP Chief Hermogenes Ebdane, Jr. to put high premium on the performance of high ranking police officials in the fight against illegal drugs in their respective areas of responsibility. The renewed war against drugs, Barbers said, is a serious job to be placed in the hands of callous police officials. "We need a no non-sense law enforcers who will carry on the fight until we totally rid our country of prohibited drugs. I hope that the PNP leadership will consider this proposal in its upcoming revamp," Barbers said. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin