Pubdate: Mon, 26 Jul 2004 Source: People's Journal (Philippines) Copyright: 2004 People's Journal Contact: http://www.journal.com.ph/contactus.asp Website: http://www.journal.com.ph/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3381 Author: Alfred Dalizon MORE MUSLIMS INTO DRUG TRADE, SMEAR ISLAM ARE more Filipino Muslims getting involved in drug trafficking? Based on statistics from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the answer seems to be yes. Since its formation on July 31, 2002, the PDEA has arrested and jailed 82 Muslims for illegal drug activities. From July to December 2002, only four were arrested but the figure rose to 52 in 2003. So far this year, 26 Muslims have been arrested for shabu trafficking. To address the problem, Senior Supt. Sukarno G. Ikbala Sr., head of the Salaam Police, a unit created to go after Muslims involved in criminal activities, said that he and his men were embarking on a massive program to teach their fellow Muslims about the evils of drugs. "We have a complete program on that particular aspect. We're regularly talking with Muslim leaders and asking their full support in the campaign against criminality, terrorism and drug trafficking and abuse," Ikbala said. He stressed that the Muslim Quran completely prohibits the use of drugs. "Nakakasira talaga sa pangalan ng Islam ang ibang kasama namin na involved sa droga," he said. "But we have a total approach here. We're instilling the Islamic values among all our brothers, we're training our fellow policemen who will in turn conduct talks with our brothers in different Islamic communities in Metro Manila and other parts of the country," Ikbala said. PO2 Abulcair K. Bangcola, a member of the Police-Community Relations Groups, meanwhile, has a different view of the issue. "Maraming tamad na kapwa namin. Gusto nila instant pera kaya di sila dapat tawaging Muslim. Kasi pag tinawag kang Muslim, that means complete submission to the will of God. Yun ang religion na Islam," he said. Bangcola said that as far as he is concerned, Islamic leaders are very vocal against illegal drug trafficking but some of them appear to be helpless in some instances. "Ipinagbabawal talaga yan pero minsan ang naiinvolve, malalaki, mga influential na pamilyang Muslim," he noted. PDEA chief Anselmo S. Avenido confirmed that illegal drug traders have invaded almost all Muslim communities in Metro Manila and different parts of the country, including Ilocos, Bataan, Cagayan and Bulacan. "Di basta-basta mapasok ng mga tao natin. Mahirap kumuha ng asset," he said. Avenido said they have long been watching the involvement of some Muslims in the Chinese-dominated shabu trafficking industry. "Marami tayong natatanggap na report sa Culiat, Maharlika Village at Quiapo and we're coordinating with Muslim elders," he said. "They're also concerned with the involvement of Muslims in drugs and they want to help us." Avenido added that they were looking into reports that some bigtime Muslim drug dealers have forged an "unholy alliance" with Chinese drug lords in conducting their illegal trade in the country. "Sa ngayon, maaaring Chinese syndicate ang source ng shabu na kanilang tinitinda pero maaaring galing din ito sa Mindanao, sa mga traditional drug lords," he said. He even identified a politician in Mindanao who has long been suspected of involvement in bigtime shabu trafficking although the police have yet to pin the suspect down due to lack of evidence or witnesses. PDEA Metro Manila Regional Office chief Senior Supt. Orlando M. Mabutas said that based on his investigation, some Muslims have gained the trust of Chinese drug personalities in the country. "Sila ang pinagkakatiwalaan ng mga Chinese drug lords kaya sila ang nabibigyan ngayon ng shabu," he said. Mabutas said that arrested Muslim drug traffickers do not squeal when they are arrested, thus hampering follow-up operation is concerned. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake