Duterte wants government offices' 'active role' in anti-narcotics drive

DAVAO. Then Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte shows the bricks of high-grade cocaine found hidden inside a refrigerated container van at the Sumifru Wharf in Tibungco. (SunStar File/King Rodriguez)
DAVAO. Then Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte shows the bricks of high-grade cocaine found hidden inside a refrigerated container van at the Sumifru Wharf in Tibungco. (SunStar File/King Rodriguez)

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has ordered all government offices, including government-owned or -controlled corporations (GOCCs) and state universities and colleges (SUCs), to "take an active role" in his administration's campaign against illegal narcotics trade.

Duterte gave the directive through Memorandum Circular 53 inked by Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea by authority of the President on November 12. A copy of the memorandum was released to the media on Monday, November 19.

Under the memorandum, all government offices, agencies and instrumentalities, including GOCCs and SUCs, are mandated to "immediately mobilize their assets and take an active role in the government’s anti-illegal drugs campaign in accordance with their respective mandates.

"The drug problem continues to degrade the moral fiber of society, undermining the rule of law and has evolved as a national security problem," the memorandum read.

"It is the policy of the State to pursue an effective campaign against trafficking and use of dangerous drugs through an integrated system of planning, implementation and enforcement of anti-illegal drug abuse policies, programs and projects," it added.

Duterte's latest order came exactly two weeks after he signed Executive Order (EO) 66, institutionalizing the Philippine Anti-Illegal Drugs Strategy (Pads) amid government's relentless campaign against illegal drugs.

EO 66 directs all government agencies to implement the national strategy on drug prevention and control, including the implementation of a "drug-free workplace programs" and "authorized drug testing."

Non-government organizations, civil society groups, and private institutions are also encouraged by the President to support the anti-drug programs including drug tests, EO 66 stated.

"The proliferation of prohibited drugs and their precursors is a serious national concern, encompassing social, economic, psychological and economic interests, which necessitates the active and unified involvement of various government and non-government agencies," it added.

"To ensure the successful implementation of the Pads and to demonstrate our country's resolve in confronting the issue on illegal drugs, it is necessary to ensure that government and non-government entities carry out their respective functions and tasks under the Pads," the EO added.

Duterte, through the EO, tasked the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) to be the lead agency in the Pads's implementation.

All government departments and agencies, including GOCCs and SUCs, were directed to formulate and submit to the DDB their respective implementing and operational plans relative to the Pads within 60 days from the implementation of EO 66.

They were also required to formulate and adopt drug-free workplace programs, and conduct authorized drug testing among their respective officials and personnel, in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act, and relevant issuances and circulars of the DDB and the Civil Service Commission.

The Department of Labor and Employment was instructed to ensure the formulation and implementation of drug-free workplace programs and authorized drug testing in the private sector.

Last year, Duterte also signed the EO 15, creating the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs and the National Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force, in an effort to suppress the drug problem in the country. The task force has been empowered to undertake anti-illegal drug operations. (SunStar Philippines)

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