Pubdate: Tue, 01 Mar 2005
Source: Philippine Star (Philippines)
Copyright: PhilSTAR Daily Inc. 2005
Contact:  http://www.philstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/622
Author: Pia Lee-Brago
Cited: Philippine National Police http://www.pnp.gov.ph
Cited: Philippine Dangerous Drugs Board http://www.ddb-ph.com
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines

SPRAY PAINTING OF HOUSES OF DRUG LORDS PROPOSED

Philippine National Police Ant-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task
Force (AID-SOFT) chief Director General Ricardo de Leon proposed a
"spray painting" campaign on houses of suspected drug lords, similar
to the anti-drug campaign of former Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim.

During the Kapihan sa Manila Hotel, De Leon cited Lim's campaign in
Manila and challenged local government units to show strong political
will in the campaign against illegal drugs and study the possibility
of passing an ordinance authorizing the "spray painting" of houses of
suspected drug pushers.

Lim's controversial campaign was challenged before the courts but De
Leon said he is prepared to face possible charges for pushing and
implementing the spray painting campaign.

"We need the local governments to help us. If the local government
will show strong political will and the police can prove its moral
ascendancy in the implementation of the drug laws then we can be more
effective," De Leon said.

Lim said there should be a city ordinance empowering the mayor and the
police to undertake the spray painting campaign.

Citing records from the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) in 1999, De Leon
said there are 3.4 million drug users in the country and of these, 1.2
million are regular drug users. 
- ---