Pubdate: Tue, 28 Oct 2003 Source: Manila Bulletin (The Philippines) Contact: http://www.mb.com.ph/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/906 Authors: Genalyn D. Kabiling and Rico Navarro BARANGAYS ASKED TO HELP STOP STREET-LEVEL DRUG OPERATIONS President Arroyo rallied Metro Manila barangay officials yesterday to assist the government's efforts to eliminate syndicated and street-level illegal drug operations in their communities. The President mobilized more than 17,000 officials and members of the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADAC) in Metro Manila in the intensified "barangay clearing operations," the second phase of her government's all-out war against illicit drugs. Arroyo vowed that there will be no sacred cows in the renewed campaign against drugs as she directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to unmask and arrest big-time drug lords and their patrons in government. "Walang arbor-arbor. Walang prote-proteksyon, walang sinuman na sinasanto ang laban na ito. Ang lahat ng sangkot ay mananagot," she said in her speech before the antidrug councils at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao. She also directed PNP chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr. to purge its ranks of drug coddlers to restore public trust in the government institution. Instead of ordinary reshuffle in the PNP, Arroyo tasked Ebdane to dismiss and prosecute those officials involved in illegal drug use and operations. In bringing the anti-drug war in the barangay levels, Arroyo said the government can only declare victory in the war against drugs if there are no more illegal substance in the streets. "Pangunahin natin ang laban ng salot na illegal na droga sa lahat ng sulok ng ating bayan, lahat ng sulok ng inyong mga barangay, lahat ng tahanan, lahat ng kalye, lahat ng pamayanan, lahat ng sulok ng barangay huwag tayong tumigil hanggat patuloy ang paglalaganap ng salot na ito," she said. Arroyol enlisted the support of the anti-drug abuse barangay councils in reporting to law enforcement authorities suspected drug dealers, pushers, and users as well as the location of any illicit drug laboratory in their communities. Since members of the anti-drug abuse council belong to various sectors, Arroyo said the council can be an effective vehicle in the conduct of massive education and information campaign on the ill-effects of illegal drugs. Arroyo said she will not allow the Filipino youth to be destroyed by the drug menace. "Hindi ako papayag na mayurakan ang sambayanan. Kaya tayo mga leader ng barangay, lalaban tayo para sa kinabukasan." She commended the police and local government units for the intensified efforts in the anti-drug campaign in Metro Manila following reports of successful drug bust operations and the arrest of drug pushers and users. The government is aiming for a drug-free Metro Manila by next year. There are 1,693 barangays in Metro Manila. The President has launched a high-profile campaign against illegal drugs early this year amid reports of increasing number of drug addicts in the country. She has set aside at least P1 billion as standby fund for the operations of anti-drug enforcement units. At present, Secretary Jose Lina is the chairman of the Dangerous Drugs Board while retired Gen. Anselmo Avenido heads the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. (GDK) Guidelines Interior and Local Government Secretary and Dangerous Drugs Board OIC-Chairman Jose Lina Jr. yesterday issued guidelines in the conduct of clearing operations in drug-affected barangays during the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Committee Congress held at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. Lina issued the guidelines in line with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's commitment to sustain the intensified campaign against illegal drugs, particularly at the barangay level. Records at the PNP showed that as of Sept. 16, out of the country's 41,956 barangays, 5,997 are drug-affected , and 2,549 have been cleared. In Metro Manila, out of the total 1,693 barangays, 1,061 are drug affected, and 430 have been declared drug free, Lina said. Under the guidelines, Lina explained that the process of clearing drug affected barangay involves a series of activities to be undertaken in phases, by the anti-drug abuse committees at the provincial, city, municipal and barangay levels, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP). He added that the first phase which is the preparation phase shall involve activities necessary to lay the groundwork for an effective barangay clearing operations to be implemented by the DILG, PDEA, PNP, and the concerned local government units. Such activities include: organization of house clusters, streets, villages, puroks, sitios as well as sectoral organizations to assist BADACs in monitoring illegal drug activities; determination of priority drug affected areas and personalities for clearing operation; establishment of one-stop processing desks for the rehabilitation of drug dependents by the city and municipal anti-drug committees; and enactment of city or municipal ordinances creating administrative boards to hear and act on complaints regarding public nuisances, among others. Lina said, under the clearing phases, the BADACs and law enforcement units concerned shall implement the following activities: administrative searches of suspected drug dens in coordination with city or municipal regulatory officers; arrest of drug pushers through citizen's arrest, buy-bust operations, and service of search warrants and warrants of arrest; processing of referrals for voluntary rehabilitation of drug dependents; counseling of drug experimeters and casual users o n the ill effects of dangerous drugs; and filing of complaints of public nuisances with the city/municipal administrative boards against places or premises uses as sites for unlawful sale or delivery of dangerous drugs. The last phase, which is the empowerment phase, involves the mobilization of house cluster, street, village, purok and sitio as well as sectoral organizations to maintain the drug-free status of the barangay; and the implementation of support activities such as livelihood, sports, religious, and social activities in coordination with non-government organizations, he added. (RN) Arroyo to Davao After visiting urban poor communities in Metro Manila in the past weeks, President Arroyo embarks today on a three-day visit to the Davao provinces and Cagayan de Oro to check on the development programs there. After a brief respite this All Saints Day weekend, the President will resume her provincial trips starting with Bohol and Leyte provinces next week. Malacanang immediately dismissed insinuations that the frequent out-oftown trips of President Arroyo are part of her early campaign trail to boost her chances in the 2004 presidential elections. Accompanied by a handful of Cabinet members, the President leaves this morning for Mati Airport in Davao Oriental. She will attend the centennial anniversary celebration of Mati at the Mati Sports Complex and later motor to Davao City to grace the inauguration of Bago Oshiro Rehabilitation Center for drug dependents. The President has launched an intensified campaign against illegal drugs early this year following the increase of drug dependents in the country. At 4 p.m., the President will attend the launch of the Central Communications Emergency Response Center in Davao City. She will later address various sectoral groups at the nearby Freedom Park in San Pedro Street to rally support for her administration. Local government officials will host tonight a dinner for the President and her part at the Marco Polo Hotel. On Thursday, the President will preside the 12th National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) meeting at the Marco Polo Hotel. After attending the inauguration of the Buhangin underpass, she will attend the Mindanao Indigenous People summit at the Waterfront Insular Hotel in the afternoon. On Friday morning, the President will fly out to Tagoloan, Misamis Oriental, to join the 12th Mindanao Business Conference. Before returning to Manila, she will inspect the port expansion project in Cagayan de Oro City. On November 1, the President will pay her respects to her father, the late President Diosdado Macapagal, at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Fort Bonifacio, Makati City. The President is expected to resume her provincial tour, this time in Bohol, Tacloban City and Leyte province on Nov. 4. She will receive the president of Kazakstan on Nov. 10-12 and the president of Ukraine on Nov. 23 and 24 as state guests. Release of bonus President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo announced yesterday that all government workers may now gladly look forward to the immediate release of the remaining 50 percent of their year-end Christmas bonus and cash gift starting Nov. 16. The Presidents' announcement conveyed by Budget Secretary Emilia Boncodin signals the immediate release of some P8.5 billion that has already been earmarked under this year's General Appropriations Act (GAA) for such purpose. "We want to make sure that government workers will receive their Christmas bonus and cash gift to give them ample time to prepare for the coming holidays," Boncodin said in an official Malacanang statement released yesterday. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin