Pubdate: Tue, 9 Jul 2002 Source: Sunstar Pampanga (Philippines) Copyright: 2002 Sunstar Section: Opinion Contact: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2252 Note: also listed as a contact Author: Jun Malig Note: To read more about the Philippines latest anti-drug crusade visit http://www.mapinc.org/areas/philippines . LAPID'S ANTI-DRUG TASK FORCE THE recent announcement by Gov. Manuel "Lito" Lapid about the creation of a provincial task force against illegal gambling and illegal drugs is a welcome development. The creation of the task force, which would be supported by the Special Action Force of the Philippine National Police to make it more effective against criminals and those involved in jueteng and other types of illegal gambling, is a long overdue move. It is good that the action-governor has finally acknowledged that that there is a grave problem about illegal drug proliferation in many parts of the province. This particular problem, by the way, is especially in the town of Mabalacat. Provincial administrator Benalfre Galang, one of Lapid's lawyers, said that they are studying the possibility of authorizing task force members to arrest jueteng workers and drug pushers. Although this could perhaps fill the void being left by law enforcers in their crusade against drug pushers, the task force members should be composed of non-abusive personnel who really hate illegal drugs. While jueteng and drug pushing are both against the law, the task force should put greater emphasis against illegal drugs, which is a hundred times more evil than jueteng and small-time gambling operations. Maybe assigning more personnel in the illegal drugs campaign would do. - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk