Pubdate: Tue, 23 Dec 2003 Source: Manila Bulletin (The Philippines) Contact: http://www.mb.com.ph/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/906 Author: Archie O. Monterola Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines (Philippines) AGLIPAY REPORTS BIG ACCOMPLISHMENTS AGAINST DRUGS IN 2003 CEBU CITY - The war on drugs of the national government has chalked up in the last six months this year the biggest haul so far in the entire history of the campaign, believed to be two-fold bigger than the accomplishments of 13 presidents put together since the time of Aguinaldo. In a year-end report to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, Deputy Director General Edgardo B. Aglipay, chief of the PNP Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (AID-SOT, SOG) said that the most important accomplishments occurred in the third and last quarters of 2003, notably the seizure of over P12.77 billion worth of illegal drugs and the arrest of 23,425 drug offenders across the country from July to December this year. Nationwide, the Task Force filed 16,6651 criminal complaints in court for violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, but Aglipay cautioned arresting policemen to assist prosecutors in pursuing the cases and get conviction against the suspects. Nationwide also, the Task Force neutralized 143 local groups, cleared 3,571 drug-affected barangays, and raided and knocked out 16 shabu factories and clandestine laboratories, including warehouses or drug storage facilities in Metro Manila and nearby areas in Cavite, Batangas, Laguna, Bulacan and Rizal. Aglipay pointed out that although this was considered a bountiful harvest that has never happened before, he exhorted his men in the Special Operations Group not to be wary with the humble accomplishment but even work double time and double effort to crush illegal drug trades completely out of business. Aglipay stressed that the tremendous success of the campaign was brought about by the teamwork of the Task Force and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) headed by retired Police Deputy Director General Anselmo Avenido that President Arroyo has put together to bring the war on illegal drugs to the smallest and remotest village in the country. Aglipay, who is PNP deputy chief for administration took the cudgels for his commander-in chief, and together with Avenido, are fighting the crippling social menace to save the country from the clutches of drug lords. The Task force immediately plunged headlong into the campaign and in six months raided 16 well-enthrenched clandestine laboratories which have been operating for so long with impunity. Aglipay veered away from the traditional police work by doing away with suspicious characters in the network, and relied heavily on the cooperation of concerned civilians and the general public. The consistent and airtight teamplay of his men and the regional police commanders down to the precinct level have made it largely possible to accomplish the gigantic task in a matter of six months, Aglipay pointed out. Aglipay vowed to continue the war on illegal drugs without let-up in accordance with the directive issued by President Arroyo to eliminate drug lords and their "padrinos." The President gave him and Avenido a thumbs up for the initial success of the campaign. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin