Drugs still No. 1 threat – Duterte; arrest big drugs suppliers – Lacson

PRESIDENT Duterte has declared drug menace as the “number one threat to national security” and vowed anew to block the flow of illegal drugs by mobilizing the entire government machinery.

We will stop this “aberration” by all means, The Punisher said.

Sen. Panfilo M. Lacson, chairman of the Senate Public Order and Dangerous Drugs Committee, has called for the arrest of street pushers that would lead to the identification and eventual arrest of big-time suppliers of illegal drugs.

“Don’t kill the street pushers; arrest them. Make them lead you to the big-time suppliers,” the former PNP Chief suggested a softer formula.

* * * The President ordered the activation of a national task force to seriously combat the illegal drug trade that has created an “aberration” in the country.

“Drug menace is the number one threat to national security,” Duterte said, admitting that shabu has entered the country “almost everyday.”

* * * The President said drugs significantly influence“the rise of heinous crimes and also negatively affects the economy” and plays a role “in the corruption of our collections even in our law enforcement agencies.”

Big damage from illegal drugs, Duterte complained.

*** Duterte directed “the entire government machinery to mobilize its assets and to take an active role in the government’s anti-illegal drug campaign nationwide.”

“We have to move forward to eradicate illegal drug trade, activate a National Anti-illegal Drug Task Force,” he added.

*** The President said the task force will be composed of personnel assets from the Philippine National Police, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Bureau of Customs, Coast Guard, and the other agencies of the government.

“It can provide a necessary personnel complement to carry out the directive of the President to the Bureau of Customs to block the flow of illegal drugs in this country,” he warned.

*** The President, threatening anew to kill those who destroy the country, said the government must not wait to act on the drug problem “just like America” where the drug menace has become “almost pandemic.”

“But you know we are no match with America if we have to set a standard about human dignity, about human rights…We have no money. We don’t have sophisticated machines,” he explained.

*** Duterte defended his decision to appoint former Gen. Rey Guerrrero and allow military presence in the Bureau of Customs (BOC) to help combat corruption and the smuggling of drugs and other contraband.

But he assured only “a few technical men of the Armed Forces of the Philippines” would be tapped to assist the customs bureau “just see to it that everything is done properly.”

*** The President dismissed the criticisms of some lawmakers and concerned sectors that the planned “military takeover” of the BOC was unconstitutional.

“When I called in the Army to help the Bureau of Customs, there was no designation, there was no appointment and there was never an instruction for them to take over the functions of the employees. What militarization?” he asked.

Bothered by the huge shipment of shabu that was allegedly smuggled into the country through the BOC, the President renewed his vow to protect and preserve the nation from illegal drugs, saying he would rather resign than let the country go to the dogs.

“I’m determined. I’m ready to do anything at all. Anything just to stop this problem.I will go to the extremes,” he declared.

*** Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III told the President that some 650 BOC personnel will be affected by the BOC reorganization.

Heads to roll. Bad eggs to go!

*** Dominguez, however, assured that the technical personnel who would be assigned to the BOC would undergo “an extensive training program” with the help of Defense Sec. Delfin Lorenzana and his men.

For effective work performance, not for efficient “tara” collection.

*** “The President’s decision to detail some new personnel in the BOC would reduce familiarity.I think it’s going to work,” he said.

Okay, let’s hope and pray that new government strategies will work well – and save Pinoys from drug addiction and criminality.