A FORMER agent of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) reported that the illegal drug trade in the country is thriving, and has become a P200-billion “industry.”
An even more alarming report is that the Philippines has turned into a global hub for the distribution and increased production of illegal drugs for international syndicates.
According to the PDEA, 20.51 percent or 8,629 barangays (villages) out of the 42,065 nationwide are plagued with the drug-related cases.
Metro Manila has the highest rate of being drug-affected with 92.10 percent of the region’s barangays involved. Methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu, and marijuana remain the most abused illegal drugs in the country.
PDEA Director General Arturo Cacdac Jr. revealed that barangays are considered slightly affected if there are identified drug users in the community but no known drug pushers or traffickers are operating in the area while moderately affected if at least a suspected drug pusher or trafficker is operating in the barangay. A barangay is seriously affected if at least a drug laboratory, den, dive or resort is suspected to exist in the community.
Perhaps this is why Pres. Rodrigo Duterte stayed true to his word that when elected, he would launch a bloody war on drugs.
In recent weeks, the nation saw a spike in drug-related killings. Reports show that there have been more than 100 reported cases of drug-related killings in less than a month.
Amid this intensified anti-drug campaign, there has also been a spate of surrenders from thousands of drug users and peddlers across the country. They have pledged to not do or sell drugs again and cooperate with the government’s drive against drugs.
While the government is gaining momentum in its campaign against drugs, some senators have questioned its efficacy and raised concerns over the rising number of extrajudicial killings.
“We have to look into that in aid of legislation. The killings are on the rise, and there are just tell-tale signs of summary executions in a number of them,” said Sen. Leila De Lima, who was the former chair of the Philippine Commission on Human Rights (CHR).
Sen. Franklin Drilon echoed De Lima’s sentiments and agreed to conduct the Senate inquiry.
“While we laud and support the campaign against illegal drugs of the Philippine National Police, the Senate cannot sit idly on allegations of extrajudicial killings that saw a spike in recent months,” Drilon said.
Even Vice Pres. Leni Robredo agrees. She encouraged authorities “to look into these cases. If there is really culpability, then justice requires that appropriate cases be filed and that those proven to be accountable be punished.”
“While we are one with the fight against drugs, we are concerned with the growing culture of vigilantism and violence. We hope that the war is not done at the expense of the innocent and defenseless,” Robredo said.
Recognizing the rampancy of the drug problem in the country is only the first step. Instead of inflicting fear among the citizenry, the national government must initiate a cohesive effort in dealing with the drug problem.
Engaging in an all-out war against drugs is beyond the power of the government alone. This campaign can only be deemed successful with the engagement of the public. (AJPress)
