Pubdate: Mon, 31 Jan 2005
Source: Visayan Daily Star (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 Visayan Daily Star
Contact:  http://www.visayandailystar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1688
Author: RA
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?236 (Corruption - Outside U.S.)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)
Cited: Philippine National Police http://www.pnp.gov.ph
Cited: Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency http://www.pdea.gov.ph

CAPITOL ESTABLISHES ANTI-DRUGS TASK FORCE

Atask force, composed of members of the intelligence community have been 
established to track down drug personalities and law enforcers involved in 
illegal activities.

A brainchild of Gov. George Arnaiz, the task force was created last week to 
enhance and strengthen the campaign against the pressing drug menace in 
Negros Oriental.

"There is really a need for all law enforcement agencies to help in order 
to gain headway in the campaign against illegal drugs," the governor said. 
In the past, he said, there was a tendency for law enforcers to keep their 
respective intelligence reports for their own consumption because there was 
no proper coordination.

Arnaiz stressed information gathering is very important as it is vital in 
building up cases against those involved in the drug trade.

Provincial Prosecutor Diosdado Hermosa said many drug-related cases have 
dismissed because of lack of evidence.

The task force, to be headed by the PNP provincial director, will be 
composed of two representatives from the NBI, PDEA, CIDG, Dumaguete PNP, 
PNP Provincial headquarters, Maritime Police and from the Armed Forces of 
the Philippines.

Arnaiz said the members of the task force will be thoroughly screened in 
order to ensure that no one from the group is involved in drugs, as it will 
jeopardize its mandate. Arnaiz earlier expressed dissatisfaction over the 
performance of the police in the campaign, saying the drug problem is now 
proliferating anywhere in the province, with no major arrest or operation 
conducted against drug personalities.
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