Anti-narco bodies urged to refocus efforts vs. 'big fish'

WITH LAW ENFORCERS proving themselves capable of going after street peddlers, it is high time for the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) to go after the so-called big fish, said Senator Panfilo Lacson.

Lacson cited the need for stricter coordination at the upper levels against the entry of illegal drugs into the country. “You have to refocus because the police are now capable of going after street peddlers. You have to concentrate on those at the higher levels,” he said.

He added that illegal drugs slip past the Bureau of Customs from time to time, and find their way into the hands of drug peddlers, many of whom mix them with candy or deodorizer to maximize their profits.

Lacson also told the PDEA to address issues in its custody of illegal drugs that had been seized and are being kept as evidence for court cases.he said the weakness in the chain of custody had resulted in technicalities that lead to the dismissal of cases.

To date, the PDEA has some P9.7 billion worth of seized illegal drugs in its custody. “I think you should do something about the excessive quantity of dangerous drugs still in your possession. It's a bit mind-boggling, the P9.7 billion worth of dangerous drugs,” Lacson said. THE PHILIPPINE NAVY is set to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the grounding of the frigate BRP Gregorio Del Pilar in Hasahasa Shoal or Half-moon Shoal off Palawan province.

The frigate was pulled out from the shoal and is on its way to Subic repair facility. “Yung ship is on its way to Subic, once it arrives in Subic, a comprehensive investigation will be undertaken,” said Vice Admiral Robert Empedrad.

BRP Gregorio Del Pilar ran aground on August 29 and the incident damaged the frigate. Initial damage assessment indicated that the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar is limited to the ship's starboard (right) propeller, which was detached due to the grounding, but repairable.

The frigate is one of three Hamilton-class cutters acquired by the Philippine Navy from the United States Coas Guard and converted into frigates. These ships have a gross tonnage of 3,250 tons, a length of 378 feet, beam of 43 feet, and draft of 15 feet while its propulsion systems consist of two diesel engines and two gas turbine engines, giving it a top speed of 29 knots.

These vessels have a cruising range of 14,000 miles and have a sea and loiter time of 45 days and armed with a 76-mm Oto Melara automatic cannon, 25-mm and 20-mm light cannons and .50 caliber machine guns.