Pubdate: Mon, 09 Jan 2006
Source: Philippine Star (Philippines)
Copyright: PhilSTAR Daily Inc. 2006
Contact:  http://www.philstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/622
Author: Non Alquitran
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

FAILURE TO RELEASE REWARD MONEY HURTING DRIVE VS DRUG SYNDICATES

The failure of the government to reward drug informants is hurting
it's war against drug syndicates.

For the past six months, not a single drug laboratory or warehouse was
neutralized because informants are now shying away after the
government reneged on its promise to give cash rewards.

"Wala ng gustong magtrabaho sa amin dahil ang paniwala ng mga
informants namin, hindi totoo ang reward system ng gobyerno (Nobody
would like to work for us anymore as the informants believe that the
government's reward system is not reliable)," a police official said.

When President Arroyo launched an all-out war against drug syndicates
three years ago, at least 49 shabu laboratories and warehouses were
busted.

Confiscated equipment, raw materials and shabu finished products reach
P3.8 billion.

An anti-drug agent admitted that the shabu and equipment haul was made
possible with the information volunteered by informants who are after
the reward money promised by the government.

After the successful drive against drug syndicates, a number of drug
informants tried to collect the reward money due them but the
government has yet to release the payments up to now.

Some informants have even sought the intervention of President Arroyo
to fasttrack the release of the reward money.

Mrs. Arroyo has earmarked P50 billion for the war against drug
syndicates and part of the money was set aside as incentives to informants.

Earlier, the Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force
(AIDSOTF) reported that the government's relentless drive against drug
syndicates left a supply vacuum in the country and drove the price of
shabu to an all-time high of P6,000 per gram in some areas.

"Gusto naming ma-sustain ang kampanya laban sa droga, pero mahirap
gawin sa ngayon dahil ayaw makipag-cooperate ng mga informers dahil
walang pampaganang reward (We want to sustain the campaign against
illegal drugs but we are having a hard time because our informers
refuse to cooperate with us due to the absence of reward money)," the
agent added.

An anti-drug official admitted that the drug syndicates are employing
the same modus operandi in their operations but now have their
businesses tightly-secured, making it hard for police officials to
neutralize them.

"The drug syndicate's bosses have learned their lessons and are now
employing tight security on their illegal businesses which make it
hard for us," said the anti-drug agent, noting that inside information
provided by people in the know would be a big help.
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MAP posted-by: Tom