Pubdate: Mon, 12 Jul 2004 Source: People's Journal (Philippines) Copyright: 2004 People's Journal Contact: http://www.journal.com.ph/contactus.asp Website: http://www.journal.com.ph/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3381 Author: Alfred Dalizon, People's Journal PNP SCORES BIG IN ANTI-DRUG WAR DESCRIBED as the Philippine National Police's "cutting edge" in the fight against illegal drugs, the PNP Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force marks its first year in existence with record-setting accomplishments topped by the seizure of more than P22 billion worth of shabu and its precursors last year. AID-SOTF commander and concurrent PNP deputy chief for administration Deputy Director General Edgar B. Aglipay credits the accomplishment to the full support of President Macapagal-Arroyo who has made the campaign against drugs one of her priorities. "It helped a lot that the President herself was in the forefront of the fight against drugs. Because of the strong leadership of the President as well as the invaluable support from the various sectors of the community, we at the AID-SOTF did a great job of fighting the drug menace," Aglipay said The AID-SOTF chief said they have crippled more than 60 percent of their target syndicates, particularly those involved in the mass production of shabu or the so-called poor man's cocaine which remains the most abused drug in the land. Aglipay said that apart from the confiscation of P22 billion worth of drugs, they also arrested and charged 32,762 drug offenders in court, neutralized 239 local drug groups and cleared 5,140 drug-affected barangays. Aglipay said they also smashed 22 clandestine shabu laboratories and warehouses located mostly in Metro Manila, seized P250 million worth of assets of captured drug lords and arrested 302 policemen involved in illegal drug activities. But Aglipay said they are not resting on their laurels and would continue the crackdown no matter who gets hurt. He said there is a need to further continue the crackdown and there should be no room for complacency. "Our past achievements should not be a reason for us to take a respite from the war versus drugs however brief it may be. Now more than ever, there is a need to follow up on our series of victories even as we protect our gains," he said. Aglipay explained that the illegal drug industry is so dynamic and profitable that neutralized traffickers - from drug lords down to the lowly street-level drug dealers - bounce back and become even more dangerous once authorities relax their campaign even just a bit. "It is therefore imperative that the AID-SOTF must continue its job with even more urgency as all our efforts will be put to naught if we cannot sustain the drive and deliver the killing blow to these evils of society," he said. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake