Pubdate: Wed, 14 Jan 2009
Source: Manila Times (Philippines)
Copyright: 2009, The Manila Times
Contact:  http://www.manilatimes.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/921
Author: Angelo S. Samonte
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/area/Philippines
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Marijuana)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

GMA NAMES HERSELF ANTI-ILLEGAL DRUG CZAR

President Gloria Arroyo appointed herself on Tuesday as the "czar" 
that would lead the government's fight against illegal drugs to show 
her administration's seriousness to eradicate the drug menace.

"I will temporarily act as the czar, or overseer of the war against 
illegal drugs. Then, I will turn over the job to the tandem of Tito 
Sotto and Jionex Santiago," President Arroyo said in a statement 
during Tuesday's Cabinet meeting in Malacanang. Tito is Vicente Sotto 
3rd, a former senator and now chief of the Dangerous Drugs Board, and 
Jionex is Dionisio Santiago, who heads the Philippine Drug 
Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

The President's decision to lead the fight against banned substances 
was hailed by leaders in the Senate and House of Representatives.

"The drug problem is worse than the problem of terrorism," Senate 
Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said. "I am glad that the 
President is now our anti-drug czar, because all executive officers 
are under her. She can order a review of all drugs cases dismissed 
and their revival if warranted."

Zubiri added that Mrs. Arroyo's decision was not an "indictment" of 
the performance on the job of Sotto and Santiago.

"It is not bad for PDEA to seek [the President's] help to curb 
illegal drugs. They [in the drug agency] are getting frustrated 
because they have been making numerous arrests but the suspects are 
usually released," he said.

The anti-drug agency has had a run-in with the Department of Justice 
over the case of the "Alabang Boys"--three young men from rich 
families who are detained on drug charges. From the case emerged 
allegations made by the agency that Justice officials, including 
state prosecutors, received P50 million in bribes in exchange for the 
dropping of drug-trafficking charges against the "Alabang Boys." The 
officials denied the charges.

Leave Begins

On Monday, five officials of the Justice department began their 
indefinite leave of absence that the President had asked them to do 
over the bribery allegation. Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez said an 
independent panel that the President had asked him to form would 
investigate the five officials. None from anti-drug agency was asked 
to vacate his post temporarily over the same scandal.

House Speaker Prospero Nograles said that "nobody can do it better" 
than Mrs. Arroyo in battling illegal drugs.

In a text message, he pointed to the "vast power and resources of the 
President."

Mrs. Arroyo leading the fight, Nograles said, would be a signal to 
drug traffickers to stop their illegal activities.

The President would likely remain as the drug czar until January 27, 
or when the independent panel comes up with a full report on drug 
issues stemming from the controversial case of "Alabang Boys." The 
panel is expected to be organized this week.

War vs. 'Termites'

She likened illegal drugs to termites that tear down the foundation 
of families and the entire society and "a country awash with illegal 
drugs is a country compromised, its law-and-order institutions 
tainted and corrupted."

The government, Mrs. Arroyo said, is mapping out an all-out war 
against the drug menace and that blueprint would be three-pronged approach.

"The war shall be waged from three fronts, a trinity against illegal 
drugs," she added. The three components, according to her, will be 
law enforcement, judicial action and policy-making.

Policy-making, the President said, would involve crafting a 
comprehensive framework consisting of prevention, enforcement and 
rehabilitation.

She called on local governments (LGUs), the academe, the church and 
other sectors to intensify their campaign against illegal drugs.

"The LGUs that can declare a barangay [village], municipality, city 
and province as 'drug-free' will be rewarded with development 
pro-jects to sustain their efforts and ensure a bright future for our 
children and communities," the President said.

Drug Councils

She approved the immediate activation of all local drug councils 
nationwide as well as the imposition of random testing in all 
secondary and tertiary schools, Press Secretary Jesus Dureza said.

Dureza added that the Department of Education and the Commission on 
Higher Education have agreed to the random testing because of alleged 
proliferation of drugs in schools and the two agencies can intervene 
to stop it.

He said the President has instructed the Department of Health to put 
up additional rehabilitation centers in the country to address the 
growing number of drug addicts needing care and rehabilitation.

Dureza said the country needs six to eight new rehabilitation centers 
in at least four regions.

Asian Transit Point

The US government has identified the Philippines as a major Asian 
transit point for drugs, including methamphetamines, heroin and 
"Ecstasy" party pills.

Independent crime watchdogs say that while Manila in theory has among 
the region's toughest drug laws--prescribing life in jail to 
traffickers--law- enforcement agencies are hobbled by corruption.

Manila police chief Leopoldo Bataoil said methamphetamine 
hydrochloride, also known as "ice" or "shabu," remained the illegal 
drug of choice in Metro Manila, a metropolis of 12 million people, 
but that "Ecstasy" was gaining popularity among the young of the upper classes.

"Shabu" is followed by marijuana, he added, and "Ecstasy is believed 
to be circulating in bars and night joints frequented by affluent 
young adults."

Manila police filed more than 6,000 drug cases last year.
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MAP posted-by: Richard Lake