Pubdate: Fri, 29 Jul 2016
Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer (Philippines)
Copyright: 2016 Philippine Daily Inquirer
Contact:  http://www.inquirer.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1073
Author: Leila B. Salaverria

RODY TELLS LGUS: INTENSIFY DRUG WAR

MOMENTS after presiding over his first National Security Council 
meeting on Wednesday, President Duterte called on local government 
officials to support his war against illegal drugs, warning that 
unless the scourge is eliminated, it will haunt the three succeeding 
administrations.

No details of the five-hour long council meeting-attended by former 
Presidents Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and 
Benigno Aquino III, Vice President Leni Robredo, Cabinet secretaries 
and leaders of Congress-were revealed.

Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, briefing reporters yesterday, 
confirmed that the drug problem was among three major issues tackled, 
but that Mr. Duterte had requested participants to keep sensitive 
issues to themselves.

The other issues discussed were the peace initiatives with communist 
and Moro rebels, the proposed bilateral talks with Beijing on the 
territorial dispute in the South China Sea and the shift to 
federalism, according to Palace officials.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II told reporters the inputs of 
the four former Presidents were crucial in the discussion of the 
China issue and how the Philippines should pursue bilateral 
negotiations. "Their experience, their knowledge about the relations 
with China are very important," he said.

About an hour after the council meeting adjourned at 8 p.m. on 
Wednesday, Mr. Duterte spoke about the drug problem at the 
oath-taking ceremonies in Malacanang of the officers of the League of 
Cities of the Philippines and the League of Provinces of the Philippines.

The President said that if he does not act against the problem and 
dismantle the drug apparatus, it will continue to plague the country 
into the term of the next three Presidents.

"I am here. I have a big problem. Help me. That is why I said, I 
would be frank... I would finish this," he said at the oath-taking.

In saying the drug problem was already a crisis, he cited the number 
of drug users who have surrendered, which he pegged at 170,000.

"Is that a police problem? The police cannot solve it. They are into 
it. Mind you, that's not intrigue coming from us. A country friend of 
ours provided us the intercept," he said.

Mr. Duterte lamented that people were no longer afraid to violate the 
law. "The essence of fear to violate a law has been lost," he said. 
"With the short, corrosive effect of money, even those at the top 
could be bought," he said.

"Unless I destroy the apparatus, they will have a problem. Three 
Presidents from now would not be able to solve it. Money is too 
corrosive. So they can buy, you know, judges, fiscals, the police, 
mayors, governors. That's how money works," said the President, who 
has vowed to eliminate the drug menace in three to six months.

Rehabilitation centers

Mr. Duterte also elaborated on his plan to turn vast military camps 
into rehabilitation centers. He said this was a stopgap measure until 
the government could build rehabilitation centers all over the 
country. He also said the move was for the drug users' own protection 
as well as for the public's.

"I said we cannot build a nation by killing people over the bodies of 
your fellow citizens," he said.

So what he would do is control the movements of the drug users. Those 
whose brains have been addled by drugs would be put into the 
rehabilitation centers, he said.

"Anyway, we don't need any legal basis. The legal basis is we take 
him in for his own protection. That's why we are allowed to arrest 
insane people. For compulsory confinement. Why? It is to protect him 
from harm and to protect the public," the President said.

Mr. Duterte said he would have to provide doctors and a program for 
those undergoing rehabilitation. From what he had seen, those who had 
turned to faith had been successful in resisting the temptation of a 
drug relapse.

With more than 300 people dead in police operations, human rights 
groups have sounded the alarm on allegations of extrajudicial 
killings. But the President has said human rights should not be used 
to destroy the country.

Extraordinary

Malacanang described the first NSC meeting in recent years as "an 
extraordinary show of goodwill and unity to discuss defense and 
security issues facing the nation."

"This is the Philippine team," Ramos said.

"The meeting was intended to update and consult with the members of 
the NSC as the new administration proceeds with its mandate to 
establish peace and order, create conditions conducive to a more 
inclusive and better life for all," according to the President's 
spokesperson Ernesto Abella.

Aquino did not convene the NSC during his term, except for what was 
described as a "modified" NSC in May last year, when it discussed the 
worsening conflict with China. Called to attend that meeting were 
Ramos and Estrada. Arroyo, until last week, had been under hospital 
detention. The Supreme Court ordered her release, saying the Aquino 
administration did not have evidence to support plunder charges against her.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom