Pubdate: Fri, 19 Dec 2008
Source: Manila Times (Philippines)
Copyright: 2008, The Manila Times
Contact:  http://www.manilatimes.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/921
Author: AFP And Jefferson Antiporda
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

NARCOTICS FUNDING REBELS, POLITICIANS -- POLICE

The illegal drugs trade plays a large part in filling  up war chests of
politicians and funding armed  campaigns of Maoist guerrillas and Islamic
militants in  the Philippines, the country's police chief said Thursday.

"'Narco-politics' is not entirely a new phenomenon,"  Director General
Jesus Verzosa added in a statement.  "It happened in the past and, chances
are, it can  happen again if law enforcers, and the community will  lower
their guard to prevent drug syndicates from  influencing political
activities in some parts of the  country."

Narco-politics is a practice where drug syndicates  bankroll the electoral
campaign of political candidates  in exchange for the syndicate's
protection.

Verzosa said the Philippine National Police has made  the battle against
narco-politics a priority.

Another priority, he added, is fighting "the phenomenon  of
'narco-terrorism.'"

Verzosa cited the "involvement of some domestic threat  groups in the
production and trafficking of illegal  drugs," including the communist New
People's Army (NPA)  and the al-Qaeda-linked Abu Sayyaf.

"It is a fact that some of the largest marijuana  plantations we have
discovered are maintained by the  communist New People's Army in the
hinterlands," he  said.

"In some parts of southern Philippines [Mindanao], the  Abu Sayyaf has
been known to be behind the distribution  of shabu," Verzosa added,
referring to methamphetamine  hydrochloride.

"It cannot be denied that these groups derive revenue  from these illicit
activities to fund their  operations," he said, without elaborating.

The 5,000-member NPA has been waging a 40-year Maoist  guerrilla campaign,
while the Abu Sayyaf has been  blamed for some of the country's worst
terrorist  attacks, including bombings and kidnappings.

Verzosa said the police were concerned by the potential  influence of drug
money in politics as well as in the  corruption of police officers.

"We are committed to run after suspects engaged in the  illegal drug
trade, including our own personnel who  [may be] involved directly or
indirectly in trafficking  of illegal drugs," he added.
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MAP posted-by: Doug