Thursday, January 08, 2009 House willing to make tougher drug law
THE House of Representatives is willing to craft better laws that would strengthen the anti-drug campaign in the country.
The decision came in light of the controversy hounding the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and Department of Justice (DOJ) over the "Alabang Boys" who were accused as members of the country’s biggest drug syndicate.
In a statement, Speaker Prospero Nograles said he already instructed the House committee on illegal drugs to come out with recommendations on how to craft legislation to strengthen the fight against illegal drugs.
Nograles also expressed support in the ongoing investigation on the controversy as he expressed hope that the probe on the Alabang Boys would be the first concrete step in finding out the truth on what happened to previous drug cases, particularly those in high profile.
"I fully support all legislative actions to free the country from the drug menace that is destroying the future of our youth," Nograles said.
The controversy over Alabang Boys identified as Joseph Tecson, Richard Brodett and Jorge Joseph started after PDEA officials revealed that someone from the DOJ accepted a P50 million bribe to effect the release of the three from PDEA detention.
Major Ferdinand Marcelino of the PDEA said he was also offered P3 million to release the three boys. The bribe offer was later raised to P20 million, Marcelino said.
In Davao City, authorities have not arrested any big drug syndicate members as they mostly die during the operation.
Duterte has long been saying that the city is a very dangerous place for criminals, especially drug dealers, to live in. (BOT)
