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Thursday, June 26, 2003
GMA wants drug drive to include rich, famous in target
By She Caguimbal-Torres
PRESIDENT Arroyo Wednesday ordered agencies engaged in anti-illegal drug operations to also target the "rich and famous" who are engaged in the drug trade instead of concentrating only on the poor communities.
"I am demanding from the authorities a top-to-bottom campaign that not only targets the poor communities but also the rich and famous. The drug menace is all pervading and cuts across all social classes. Our campaign must be total and blind to wealth or social status. It shall not spare the high and mighty from the force of law," Arroyo said in a prepared statement.
Arroyo earlier told anti-drug agencies to go after the big fish among the police and government officials as well as their political patrons.
The President also called for an end to bickering among the leaders of her anti-drug campaign.
"This problem is too serious for the nation to be divided on it. The war against drugs must be waged in the streets and communities, and not reflected in bickering within our own institutions of governance. Let us have teamwork. Let us not be distracted. Everybody must pitch in," she said.
Presidential spokesman Ignacio Bunye admitted that the appointment paper of former Manila mayor Alfredo Lim as presidential adviser on illegal drugs has not yet been issued. But he said Lim's expertise will only be solicited and that the "title is secondary."
Bunye debunked reports that Lim's appointment was withdrawn following the objections of Manila mayor Jose Atienza, Jr. "I think this anti-drug campaign is beyond politics and we should not inject politics into this," he said.
He said the lead agency in the anti-drug campaign is still the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) despite the appointment of some political bigwigs into the program. He said others who will be appointed to help in the anti-drug movement would have to work within the umbrella of the PDEA.
Lim has already started naming the persons he would recruit like Puerto Princesa mayor Edward Hagedorn, Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte, and Nueva Ecija Gov. Tomas Joson III.
"It's better if they wait a little while for the appointment to be finalized," Bunye said, referring to Lim and former police officials Reynaldo Jaylo and Lucio Margallo, who will be appointed PDEA directors.
(June 26, 2003 issue)
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