Pubdate: Tue, 06 Jul 2004
Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer (Philippines)
Copyright: 2004 Philippine Daily Inquirer
Contact:  http://www.inquirer.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1073
Author: Nelson Flores

RP SEEKS US SUPPORT IN WAR VS ILLEGAL DRUGS

THE DANGEROUS Drugs Board of the Philippines has asked the United States 
Drug Enforcement Administration for more technical support in its fight 
against illegal drugs.

Justice Undersecretary and DDB Executive Director Jose Calida made the 
appeal as he spoke before USDEA, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 
representatives and the first batch of graduates who attended a five-day 
seminar on Clandestine Laboratory Site Safety.

Calida said USDEA's technical support in accurate drug identification, 
technically advanced investigation of drug cases and the use of technical 
knowledge on illegal drug matters would boost the government's effort 
against illegal drugs. He said the Philippines has a lot to learn from the 
USDEA but also noted the peculiarity in the country's experience on illegal 
drugs.

"It is this peculiarity of the Philippine experience that makes some of our 
drugs cases unique and the responses to peculiar incidents demands local 
knowledge," Calida said.

Calida added that support should also include employable anti-drug 
strategies and tactics against drug lords and traffickers.

"We should learn to find 'em, fool 'em, fight 'em and finish 'em," Calida said.

The five-day seminar, which opened on June 28 at the PDEA Academy in Quezon 
City, was sponsored by the USDEA. It was attended by PDEA and National 
Bureau of Investigation agents, Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory 
personnel, PNP-Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force operatives 
and members of the Presidential Security Group.
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MAP posted-by: Beth