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. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth