VP joining drug raids rejected
Bloodless anti-narcotics operations impossible, says PDEA chief
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año on Monday rejected the idea of Vice-President Leni Robredo joining narcotics operatives in actual anti-illegal drug operations. He issued the statement after Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director-General Aaron Aquino invited Robredo to join the agency’s future raids and operations to make her aware of the actual situation on the ground.
However, Año stressed Robredo’s presence might just create more havoc as this will only destroy the element of surprise that may result in the failure of the operation.
With the element of surprise thrown out of the window, Año said the lives of the narcotics agents and not only of the Vice-President are also put in great danger.
But Aquino asserted that his call does not force Robredo to accede to his invitation to be in the actual antiillegal drug operation.
Aquino’s suggestion also drew support from Malacañang.
Critics, who thumbed down Aquino’s call, insisted there is no need for the Vice-President to be present in drug raids and similar operations as her main role is geared towards policy making as co-chairman of the Inter-Agency Committee on Illegal Drugs (ICAD).
Robredo and Aquino became ICAD co-chairman after the Vice President accepted the post last Wednesday.
President Duterte appointed Robredo as ICAD co-chair to determine if she could do much better after the Vice President insisted that the government’s illegal drugs campaign was a failure.
Bloodless raids impossible
Reacting to Robredo’s proposal to end drug-related killings, Aquino said stressed that it is impossible to avoid bloodshed in illegal drug operations, especially when armed suspects fight it out with law enforcers.
In these situations, Aquino stressed the incidence of bloody encounters is high and cannot be avoided.
Inasmuch as law enforcers want bloodless raids and illegal drug operations, Aquino said that narcotics agents may be left with no other choice but to engage the suspects in a shootout when the situation warrants it.
In an interview, Aquino stressed that there will always be casualties if the drug personalities “fight back.” It is impossible to prevent fatalities as the Vice President had suggested, he added.
He noted that narcotics agents are already hard pressed in avoiding collateral damage, especially if the drug offenders are using their homes as drug dens where their families are staying.
Reacting to Robredo’s bloody drug war claim in which the suspects were slain, Aquino pointed out that even policemen and PDEA agents were also killed in such operations.
Aquino said narcotics agents cannot allow themselves to be shot and take the bullets, citing the need for them to defend themselves from the armed suspects.
But should Robredo insist on joining drug raids, Aquino expressed willingness to accompany the VicePresident, citing his vast experience in protecting former Presidents Corazon Aquino and Fidel Ramos.
The PDEA chief was with the Presidential Security Group (PSG) for eight years.
Aquino noted that if Robredo joins the actual operation, the VicePresident will be equipped with a Kevlar helmet and bulletproof vest.
But he said the Vice-President would only gain access to the target area after it has been secured and cleared.
Lack of funds
As this developed, Robredo lamented the lack of funds for drug rehabilitation centers and drug preventive education even as she intends to improve the ongoing campaign against illegal drugs.
Robredo said the anti-drug body needs more funds than the P15million allocation in 2020.
“Tingin ko, kulang iyon dahil sa lawak ng responsibilities (I think it is insufficient because of its wide responsibilities),” the new drug czar said.
The Vice President also cited ICAD’s member agencies were also asking for funds for the implementation of the Philippine Anti-Illegal Drug Strategy (PADS), a program that aims to boost government’s antinarcotics campaign.
The PADS, formulated by the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), “outlines the balanced efforts of the government to strengthen its campaign against prohibited drugs and their precursors, and contribute to international efforts to counter the worldwide illegal drug problem.”
President Duterte had institutionalized PADS under Executive Order 66, which directed all government offices, including governmentowned and controlled corporations and state universities and colleges, to implement the PADS in accordance with their respective mandates.
Robredo, however, said concerned agencies such as the Department of Health (DOH) and Department of Education (DepEd) have much work to do with regard to drug rehabilitation and prevention.
“Nag-present ng programa iyong DOH. Marami na silang nagawa pero talagang marami pang kulang (The DOH presented a program. They have achieved a lot, but more are needed),” she said.
“Iyong nakita pa natin na pagkukulang, iyong preventive education. Kulang pa iyong programa sa mga paaralan. Iyon iyong tututukan natin (The other inefficiency we have seen is on preventive education. The programs in schools are lacking. This is where we will focus),” the lady official added.
Robredo noted the government
was not able to meet its target of establishing one rehabilitation center per province.
“Now, we only have one per region. These are not enough. Not all regions have a rehabilitation center, there are two that have none,” she said.
The country’s second top official has been pushing for community-based drug rehabilitation for drug suspects who had been arrested and voluntarily
surrendered to authorities following the war on drugs.
Robredo said the participation of the private sector is important in the success of drug rehabilitation programs.
“My request to the ICAD, we will provide a platform so the private sector will be included because they have their own programs that are not coordinated with the government,” she said. (With a report from Raymund F. Antonio)