Lacson: ‘Ill-advised’ for VP to join drug ops, should shift focus to supply side
SEN. Panfilo M. Lacson cautioned Monday that it is “ill-advised” for Vice President Maria Leonor G. Robredo to join illegal-drug raids.
Lacson, in radio interview, clarified that Robredo’s mandate is to cochairman the Inter-agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (Icad) so her primary role is to help provide policy direction to relevant agencies on the conduct of the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.
A former Philippine National Police chief who last week offered his help to the Vice President in her new role, Lacson said: “It’s illadvised. That’s the second-highest officer of the land,” and she should not be dragged into “the work of tactical units.”
Besides, Lacson added, the meticulous security arrangements involving the Vice President in a high-risk operation might result in leakages that could compromise the raids.
The senator said he was pleased by Robredo’s announced intention to reach out to international crime-fighting groups against drugs, as these can provide the Philippines with crucial intelligence to prevent and block international drug rings.
Lacson disclosed he suggested to the Vice President in their meeting last week that “our foreign counterparts” could be mined for important information, particularly, the Hong kong Narcotics Bureau, the US Drug Enforcement Agency and the Australian anti-narcotics agencies.
Refocus on supply side
AT the same time, Lacson said it would be good for Robredo to help steer the anti-illegal drug campaign toward the “supply side,” as “there’s been too much focus on the demand side the past two years. Let’s refocus on the supply side. Here’s where these foreign counterparts can help,” Lacson added in a mix of English and Filipino.
Lacson, likewise, assured he will bat for more funds for the campaign against drugs, but thumbed down suggestions for Robredo to use the intelligence funds of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) for her new hat as Icad cochairman, warning that she might be accused of “technical malversation.”
One important activity that was funded and is now almost finished, Lacson said, is a real honest to goodness nationwide survey by the Dangerous Drugs Board on the real number of drug users and dependents.