Pubdate: Thu, 07 Oct 1999 Source: Manila Bulletin (The Philippines) Copyright: Copyright =A9 2000 Manila Bulletin, All Rights Reserved=20 Contact: http://www.mb.com.ph/feedback.asp Website: http://www.mb.com.ph/frntpage.asp GOVERNOR TO GET ANTI-DRUG AWARD Cavite Gov. Ramon "Bong" Revilla Jr. flies to the United States today to receive an award from the International Narcotics Enforcement Officers Association in Albany, New York, for his "unrelenting effort against illegal drugs." The conferment of the special award will be made on Oct. 11 at the grand ballroom of the world-renowned Omni Hotel in Albany in time for the opening session of the association's 40th annual conference. Expected to witness the occasion are leaders of the various Filipino communities, particularly those from the province of Cavite in the Philippines and US-based media practitioners, most of whom are Revilla's friends and old-time acquaintances. Revilla is a popular movie star in the Philippines and idolized for his action roles. The award is the second for a Filipino or Asian since Sen. Tito Sotto snared the first one in 1992 for his effort to bust illegal drug syndicates in Metro Manila. John Bellizi, INEOA's executive director, had earlier informed Revilla, in a faxed message, of his selection as winner of the year's edition, citing his courage, patience, and determination to stump out criminality as a result of drug addiction in his province. After a thorough and strict evaluation of his qualifications, credentials and accomplishments, the young governor - who just turned 33 last Sept. 25 - emerged runaway winner over more than 100 other candidates for his unprecedented performance as chief of C-MAC or Cavite Multi-Agency Anti-Drug Abuse Council. He is also chairman of Region 4 Peace and Order Council. Performance-wise, it was C-MAC which recorded the biggest shabu haul in Philippine history when its operations led to the discovery and eventual confiscation of more than 200 kilos of the illegal stuff in Tagaytay City more than a month ago. The goods were worth P200 million, according to estimates made by police authorities. It could be more, they said. Actually, the award did not come that easy. It was not an overnight success. The task of fighting drug syndicates was tumultuous and risky. Drug syndicates do not hesitate to kill anybody that stands on their way. Soon after Revilla assumed office as Cavite's vice governor, C-MAC was conceived for the purpose of combating the illegal drug trade that had flourished like a killer plague. It was recalled that Cavite crawled with addicts, smugglers and carnapers in the last three decades. So notorious that it was tagged the local counterpart of Colombia or the world's haven for druglords, smuggling dons and carnap artists. As a result, murder and salvaging became an ordinary event, almost synonymous to sunrise and sunset, so to speak. Revilla has arrived - like the Knight with shining armor in King Arthur's Court who saved a lady in distress - to put an end to the province's despair. It was Cavite's most inglorious moment. There appeared to be no stopping the province's march to ignominious fate. Its political leaders were so blinded to the sad reality and turned deaf to the call of duty that they instead busied themselves lining and filling their pockets while the province cried for action. Upon assuming as governor of the province, Revilla rolled up his sleeves and pursued relentlessly the campaign against illegal drugs. The efforts and tenacity of Cavite's illegal drug fighters did pay off. The province has transformed itself into an investors' paradise as the dredges of society have faded and gone in oblivion with Revilla's unrelenting campaign against all forms of criminality, top most of which is the peddling of illegal drugs. It paid off and Cavite, a land of heroes and martyrs, is now proud to play host to foreign investors and tourists. Revilla's untiring effort against the evil of illegal drugs has drawn worldwide attention and the award to be conferred upon him is the first such an honor to be accorded a provincial executive in Asia if not throughout the world. It is another testimony to his patriotism like those who shed blood and gave their lives to liberate their country from foreign domination. On September 3, the province had launched the biggest rally yet in its history to dramatize the seriousness and gravity of the drug menace in the country. Some 60,000 people braved the rains and converged at the Imus (Cavite) town plaza, for the occasion which coincided with the celebration of the infamous 103rd "Battle of Imus" where local revolutionaries defeated the enemy despite their superior arms. In his brief remarks, Revilla recalled that the Katipuneros won their battle against the colonizers with their sheer guts and gallantry. He stressed that unity was the secret weapon that spelled disaster to the enemies. "Kailangan natin ang pagkakaisa para durugin ang masamang epekto ng droga gaya ng pagkakaisang ipinakita ng mga bayani ng Imus may 103 taon na ang nakalilipas," Revilla said time and again. There is no turning back now, Cavite is bound to regain paradise lost, added Revilla.=20