Robredo willing to join actual anti-drug raids

Vice President Leni Robredo has expressed willingness to join actual antidrug operations “to better understand” how the anti-narcotics campaign of the government works.

“Gustong-gusto ko iyan (I really like that very much),” said Robredo after Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Aaron Aquino, her co-chair in the government’s antiillegal drugs task force, dared her to join actual operations to get a better understanding of how the campaign works.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo welcomed Robredo’s

gesture, but cautioned the Vice President that she must not put her own life in danger while doing so. He expressed hope that by joining actual drug raids, Robredo will finally become aware of the dangers that come with the drug war.

“We are pleased to note that VP Leni is open to our suggestion that she oversee – and without putting her life in peril, personally join – any operation by the PDEA or the police against drug lords and pushers,” Panelo said.

“That she may see the hostile and mortal realities on the ground that could pave the way for the reassessment of her previous adversarial position on the government’s relentless drive against prohibited drugs or her adoption of better and effective measures not heretofore done,” he added.

On Friday, Robredo led the first-ever briefing of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD) after she was appointed by President Duterte as co-chair of Aquino.

In that meeting, Robredo maintained her stand against “senseless killings” as a result of government’s drug war and insisted that changes should be initiated to make it “more effective.”

However, Aquino noted that the antiillegal drugs war is “working” and that Robredo should consider being involved in the entire process – starting from the planning stage to the actual operations. “This may serve as my challenge to you, Ma’am so you will have an idea on how our law enforcers work in the field,” he said in a mix of English and Filipino.

Awkward, ‘unclear’

During the three-hour briefing, Aquino noted that it was quite an “awkward” meeting with Robredo at first since she has been a vocal critic of government’s drug war.

Aquino had earlier cited the VP’s “lack of experience” when it comes to law enforcement. However, Rodredo assured him during the three-hour briefing “not to worry” about it anymore.

But Robredo and Aquino appear at a loss on their particular duties as ICAD co-chair.

Aquino revealed that he wrote a letter to President Durterte seeking a “clearer” understanding of Robredo’s tasks and duties as ICAD co-chair. Robredo, on her part, admitted still being “at a loss” on what is expected of her.

Prior to the briefing, Robredo expressed hope that all the ICAD members will unite for a single goal of addressing the illegal drugs problem in the country. “I would also like to believe that people expect us to go beyond the differences, and for us to work together,” she said.

While she is supportive of a “strong national policy” against illegal drugs and an anti-drug campaign that is vigorous, Robredo maintained that everything should be done “within the bounds of the rule of law.”

She likewise wants advocates such as civil society and faith-based organizations to be part of the relentless campaign against illegal drugs.

“[I want] civil society organizations to be given a platform to participate,” Robredo said, noting that ICAD members in attendance were receptive to such suggestion.

The Vice President emphasized the anti-narcotics campaign will “benefit from broader coalition,” which includes the private sector.

A vocal critic of Oplan Tokhang, Robredo later told a media briefing on Friday her proposal to replace it with a new anti-illegal campaign was not taken up during their ICAD meeting.

“It was just laying the context; it was just laying the groundwork where I stood,” she said.

But the lady official said she will set an appointment to discuss the matter with DILG, PNP, and other law enforcement agencies.

“I will be having small meetings with either the clusters or the agencies concerned,” Robredo said.

Among the top agenda of these meetings is also the reconciliation of the conflicting figures of the government in relation to the number of drug users in the country.

The Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) estimated there were 1.8 million drug dependents nationwide, but the ICAD is currently using the “working number” of 4 million, the Vice President said.

“The 4 million was based on a different process that they followed to come up with the estimate. They based it on the number of surrenderees and Tokhang operations,” she said.

Robredo also cited the

7 to 8 million drug users, which came from President Duterte himself.

“That is one of the things that I intend to discuss with the law enforcement cluster. I will ask for the explanation behind the numbers that are being given to us,” she said.

Meanwhile, Vice President Robredo thanked United States Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim for his congratulatory message on his appointment as new co-chair of the government’s task force against illegal drugs.

“I thank Ambassador Kim not only for his congratulatory message, but the fact he said the USis looking forward to partner with us,” she said.