Pubdate: Sun, 13 Jul 2003 Source: Sunstar Pangasinan (Philippines) Copyright: 2003 Sunstar Contact: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pangasinan/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1726 Author: Dino R. Zabala PDSP JOINS BATTLE V. ILLEGAL DRUGS THE Partido Demokratiko Sosyalista ng Pilipinas (PDSP) has joined the national government in its anti-drug campaign and drive against lawless elements. Juanito "Ka Ani" F. Lagao, provincial chairman of the PDSP, announced on Friday that the PDSP aims to help transform the country's society. "We want it to become a real democratic community committed to the moral worth of all Filipinos for the development of individual personalities and capabilities," Lagao said. He said in doing so, the PDSP has decided to join and assist in the mass campaign in eradicating and monitoring of lawless elements such as terrorism, insurgency and other lawless elements through mass participation of PDSP membership in the entire country. Lagao, who is also the provincial chairman of the two districts of La Union province, said though, that his group in the two provinces (Pangasinan and La Union) has agreed to focus their campaign in helping solve the rampant drugs problem that is now obviously slowly destroying the youths. "We opted to focus mainly on illegal drugs campaign because we don't put to an end to this problem, years from now, there will be no longer individuals who we can talk to with a sound mind. Lahat ng tao na gumagamit ng bawal na droga ngayon, may posibilidad na pagdating ng panahon, puro na sila mga sira-ulo," Lagao pointed out. He, however, clarified that it is not within their task to apprehend illegal drug pushers and users, but rather to only monitor these suspected illegal drug traders and users whom they shall report to the authorities for proper legal action and disposition. "In the coming days from now, our provincial group will sit down with the concerned law enforcement agencies against illegal drugs and we shall properly coordinate with them," said Lagao. PDSP is a consultative member of the Socialist International represented in 105 countries, which many of the most progressive countries in the world are governed or have governed for a long period, by social democrats similar to the PDSP. In the Philippines, PDSP is a nationwide political party drawn from all classes and sectors in the society from workers, fisher-folks, women, youth, indigenous communities, urban poor, religious and progressive elements among professionals and businessmen. Some of the salient points and achievements in the history of the PDSP established in May 1, 1973 include: * Undertaking a leading role in the difficult task of establishing and expanding a progressive and democratic alternative to the Marcos dictatorship and to Marxism-Leninism. It made an important contribution to the mass campaigns that eventually led to the people's revolution in 1986 and the ousting of former President Joseph Estrada in the year 2002 * Helped much to consolidate the newly restored democracy, especially through education and mobilization among all sectors and the indigenous people of Luzon and Mindanao; and * Mainly through its members in the people's organization and non-government organizations, PDSP has helped much draft socially progressive and people laws and government regulations, especially in relation to issues and concerns of all sectors of the Philippine society. Heading the Education Commission of the PDSP is Father Romeo Intingan, S.J. (Father Provincial of the Order of Jesuits), while its national chairman is Secretary Norberto Gonzales, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's adviser on special concerns. As this developed, Mayor Benjamin S. Lim has permitted Lagao, who is also the administrator of Tondaligan Park, to render services to the PDSP insofar as the mass campaign is concerned. - --- MAP posted-by: Alex