Pubdate: Thu, 20 Jan 2005
Source: Daily Tribune, The (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 The Tribune Publishing Co., Inc.
Contact:  http://www.tribune.net.ph/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2973
Author: Mario J. Mallari and Reuters
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)

RP, US HOLD JOINT ANTI-ILLEGAL DRUGS TRAINING

A counter-narcotics bilateral training between Philippine anti-drug 
agencies and the United States, aimed at enhancing both countries' fight 
against the menace of illegal drugs, was opened Tuesday in Davao City.

Dubbed as Baker-Piston 05-1, the joint training exercise initially opened 
with eight instructors from the US Special Forces and 63 personnel from the 
Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and 
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

The bilateral RP-US joint exercises formally opened at the Philippine 
Safety College Regional Training School in Barangay Mintel in Davao City.

Six Chinese were killed in the province last month when anti-narcotics 
agents raided a warehouse and found equipment for making methamphetamines.

Washington says the Philippines is a major transshipment point for illicit 
drugs from China to richer countries such as Japan, Australia and the US.

Methamphetamine, called "shabu" locally, is also the country's main drug 
problem because of its cheap price and addictive qualities.

The training will last until Feb. 18

"The training teaches the participants how to identify and preserve 
evidence, evacuate casualties, gather intelligence and instruct on how to 
combat narcotics," AFP-Public Information Office chief Lt. Col. 
Buenaventura Pascual said.

Pascual said Baker-Piston 05-1 is the country's second anti-narcotics 
training with the US, the first was held last year.

Acknowledging the evils of the illegal drug menace to all countries, 
Pascual said the bilateral training was also aimed at enhancing cooperation 
between the country's anti-drug agencies and their American counterparts.

"Baker-Piston 05-1 is a joint exchange training between the US and RP with 
a common goal to wage war on drugs and bring peace and stability to 
affected Philippine communities. The illegal drug menace is a threat to all 
nations, so the exercise is designed to enhance RP and US interoperability 
against illegal drug dealers and users," Pascual added.

Various RP-US joint military exercises are being held every year in the 
country, most of which focus more on counter-terrorism such as the 
Balikatan training series.
- ---