Drug-free RP by 2010 possible, says PDEA

A drug-free Philippines in 2010 is attainable, Undersecretary Anselmo Avenido, director general of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), said yesterday.

Announcing his agency’s achievements for the past three months, Avenido said the renewed crackdown ordered by President Arroyo has constricted supply and raised the street price of shabu from P2,000 to P5,000 per gram.

He said the PDEA, with help from the Philippine National Police and other government agencies, has exceeded its target for the first three months of the anti-drug campaign.

"Our achievements during the three-month period exceeded the operational targets given by the President, an indication that the national anti-drug campaign is succeeding," Avenido said.

More people are tipping off government agencies about illegal drug activities, as an increasing number of drug users are submitting themselves for rehabilitation, he added.

Avenido said during those three months, the PDEA had seized 734.15 kilograms of shabu, 540 kilos of marijuana, 466 kilos of ephedrine and 966 grams of heroin.

The PDEA is now watching the provinces of Batangas, Bulacan, Laguna and Cavite, where the sale of illegal drugs remains rampant because of protection from local police authorities, he added.

However, Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina Jr. said the vision of a drug-free Philippines by 2010 remains a "desire" of the government.

"That is the objective, that is the desire of the government," he said.

"It is good the we have the target. If we have to advance the achievement of the target, so much the better ... we are in full steam ahead in the campaign. That is what the President wants us to do."

During a press conference at the PDEA, Lina said the country’s drug problem cannot be solved by a string of achievements for the past three months.

"I’d like to make a strong clarification that we are not saying ... that (the) problem is solved (in three months) but that is why we have additional targets in the remainder of the year," he said.

Lina said there are not enough courts to handle drug cases as 30 percent of regional and municipal trial courts nationwide lack judges.

"The government must really increase the salaries of judges," he said.

Lina said the government has also a shortage of prosecutors and forensic experts, who could cover drug-related cases.

Mrs. Arroyo has given the go-signal for the procurement of giant X-ray machines to help the Bureau of Customs and airports detect illegal drugs and substances used in their manufacture, he added.

Lina said the PDEA has raided seven shabu laboratories in Silang, Barangay Capalpisa in Tanza and Carmona in Cavite; Las Piñas; Merville Subdivision, Parañaque; Fairview, Quezon City; and in Makati.

"The campaign was highly successful with the way we were able to limit the supply of drugs in the market," he said.

Four shabu chemical warehouses were also raided in Valenzuela City, Horseshoe Village, Quezon City, Pasay City and the reclamation area in Parañaque, he added.

Lina said police are set to dismantle two or more shabu laboratories and arrest 30 percent of the remaining top 10 illegal drug personalities in various regions by year’s end.

The government will put up at least one drug rehabilitation center in every region, he added.

Shabu, also known as the poor man’s cocaine, is the most abused drug in the country, with about 3.4 million users hooked on it.

In June, Mrs. Arroyo ordered police and narcotics agencies to crack down on illegal drugs, saying she wanted "strategic results" in three months.

She said the drive should mirror a similar campaign launched by Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra earlier this year. — With AP report