Pubdate: Sat, 21 May 2005
Source: Manila Bulletin (The Philippines)
Contact:  http://www.mb.com.ph/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/906
Author: Angelo T. Reyes
Note: Reyes was formerly an Army General, Armed Forces Chief of Staff, 
Secretary of Defense, and is currently Secretary of Interior.
Cited: Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency http://www.pdea.gov.ph
Cited: US Drug Enforcement Administration http://www.dea.gov
Cited: US JIATFW http://www.pacom.mil/staff/jiatfwest/index.shtml
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines

STEPPING UP THE GOVERNMENT'S ANTI-DRUGS DRIVE

(Speech delivered at the opening of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 
Academy in Silang, Cavite, May 18, 2005)

AT the outset, allow me to thank our guests from the US Drug Enforcement 
Administration (DEA) and the Joint Inter-Agency Task Force West (JIATFW) 
for joining us here today to witness the formal opening of the Philippine 
Drug Enforcement Agency Academy.

Your presence here strongly reflects the stronger resolve, determination, 
and commitment of both the Philippine and American governments to put an 
end to the proliferation of illegal drugs in this country and the 
Asia-Pacific region.

We are all aware that the problem of illegal drugs still lingers in our 
midst - with drug syndicates, manufacturers, and protectors getting more 
brazen by the day. They go on with their nefarious activities with impunity 
and a certain degree of sophistication that keep governments and law 
enforcement authorities off-balanced in certain ways at times.

The Philippines is not an exception to that: We have a 
300-million-pesos-a-year illegal drugs industry that victimizes some 3.4 
million Filipinos coming from all sectors of Philippine society.

We have seen illegal drug syndicates evolve and sophisticate their 
operations in recent years to counter serious government offensive against 
them. They have even expanded their operations in total defiance of 
government initiatives against them and to further bolster profit from 
their very lucrative business.

Truly, we face a gargantuan problem - a social hydra - that destroys many 
families, claims many lives, and continues to wreak havoc on the country 
and our people.

This is the reason we in the Philippine government emphasize that the war 
against illegal drugs is far from over, that while we have been making very 
significant headway in the crusade, we still have a long way to go.

Indeed, the problem of illegal drugs is so serious that it requires a very 
serious and continuous effort on the part of government to eradicate it. 
The thrust should not only be to minimize the supply and proliferation of 
illegal drugs but to completely wipe it off the entire country.

And this is exactly what the government of President Gloria Macapagal 
Arroyo is doing right now - Training its sights on and mobilizing all its 
law enforcement agencies spearheaded by the PDEA - to make the Philippines 
drug-free by 2010 or even earlier than that.

Hence, I am glad that today we formally open the Philippine Drug 
Enforcement Agency Academy. This is undoubtedly a giant step in the right 
direction.

The creation and operationalization of the Philippine Drug Enforcement 
Agency Academy is the Philippine government's response as well as 
contribution to the global efforts to combat and eradicate illegal drugs.

It shows our government's recognition of the need to step up efforts and go 
the extra mile in addressing this pestering problem.

The PDEA Academy hopefully will make our law enforcers and anti-illegal 
drugs officers and personnel more adept, professional, and capable of 
handling the situation and winning the war against illegal drugs through 
efficient and effective police work and offensives.

We hope too that the academy will equip our lawmen with new ideas and 
concepts as well as innovations in the field of anti-drugs campaign.

My colleagues, if our enemies evolve and adapt to the present conditions 
and situations, let us show them that we too are capable of doing that - 
and even more. Let us not only grab the upper hand from the sinister people 
engaged in this nefarious activity; let us rout and raze them to the ground.

The operationalization of this academy signals the dawning of a renewed and 
intensified campaign of the Philippine government against illegal drugs, 
where a competent, highly motivated, professional, committed, and dynamic 
corps of illegal drugs officers and men wage a no-nonsense drive against 
this social menace.

Our President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has been very firm in her resolve and 
conviction to win the crusade against illegal drugs. Let us not fail her 
and the Filipino people by giving our 100 percent effort to the campaign.

We can do much in licking and putting a stop to the sinister effects of 
illegal drugs in the country. Let us not pull back our punches. Let us be 
resolute, uncompromising, and determined in our efforts.

Together, let us win this crusade against illegal drugs, no matter how 
protracted it may be. And together, let us make this country genuinely 
drugfree.

Thank you and Mabuhay!
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