Press Release
January 22, 2009

'Don't hesitate,' Loren tells gov't on its anti-drug campaign

Senator Loren Legarda yesterday expressed misgivings on the random drug test which will be conducted starting this February on students from public and private schools, saying the government 'has tall order to face."

Optimism is high that the move is part of the government campaign to curb the worsening drug problems which attracted public attention following the controversy that arose from the arrest of three suspected drug pushers/users belonging to rich families at Ayala, Alabang.

President Arroyo, who appointed herself Anti-Drug Czar, has been making noise as to what government will do to solve the drug menace.

"I want to see action from government and not just talk because narco-politics has been gripping the country for so long now, destroying lives and families, contributing to rising criminality and putting in question the very future of our country," she said.

"This is a warning shot against government people to distance from drug syndicate they may have links with," added Loren.

According to Loren, the sheer magnitude of the problem calls for the government to give 'example' that will stun individuals involved in drug trade.

"Dapat ay sampulan ang mga 'yan (They should be prosecuted to set an example)," said Loren, referring to drug pushers and big time syndicate involved in the illegal drug trade.

Reports have it that the Philippines has already become a transshipment of illegal drugs.

"While leniency must remain with the users, with the purpose of rehabilitating them, the government must crack he whip on pushers," she added.

Loren added that the government must go after the actual source of banned drugs and the government officials possibly serving as protectors of illicit drug trade.

In the event the new anti-czar manages to get vital information linking a certain local official to illegal drug trade, Loren said the government must not hesitate to "throw the book on" the erring official, if warranted, no matter what his apolitical affiliation is.

At the forefront of the anti-drug campaign are intelligence capabilities from Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Loren reminded the operation must be done with utmost care if the campaign against illegal drug trade is to succeed. She said drug syndicate's network is so wide "it even has bright lawyers" ready to destroy an otherwise strong case.

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