Drug war an investment for nation’s future
Published on: Saturday, August 17, 2019
Philippines drug war funeral Kasandra Kate (centre), 12, cries next to the coffin of her father Verigilio Mirano during his funeral at Navotas Public Cemetery in Manila, Philippines. According to a family member, Mirano was using drugs but stopped after Rodrigo Duterte became the president; he was killed by masked gunmen at his home.
MANILA: Communications Secretary Martin Andanar called for a united effort to combat illegal drugs, renewing the Duterte Administration’s commitment to ending drug proliferation in the country.In a town hall event, Andanar said that Duterte’s drug war was an “investment” for the youth as it meant fighting for a more secure nation for the future generation.ADVERTISEMENT
“The fight against drugs is a fight of the Filipino people. After all, what we are really fighting for is a free, healthy, and secure nation for all. And if we can’t complete our mission today, remember that not a single effort shall be in vain,” he said.
“War against drugs is an investment for the future, for the children and the future generations,” he added.
Andanar then appealed to the public to cooperate with the government’s efforts to end the illegal drug trade.
“We must bear in mind that illegal drugs are a tough opponent that is impossible to overcome if there is no cooperation. Our President cannot fight this alone. The government cannot win this alone,” he said.ADVERTISEMENT
Meanwhile, the former broadcaster said that the government’s Rehabinasyon programme, or the rehabilitation of drug dependents to reintegrate them as productive members of society, was a top priority in the government’s campaign against illegal drugs.
“Rehabinasyon is established to tell the people that rehabilitation programmes are given priority and serious attention by the government,” Andanar said.
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Launched in mid-2017, Rehabinasyon is the government’s all-encompassing communications campaign against illegal drugs led by the PCOO.
According to Communications Assistant Secretary Ramon Cualoping III, the Rehabinasyon is going to be one of President Rodrigo Duterte’s legacies.
The programme is designed to inform the people of the actual and honest efforts of the government in combating illegal drugs and to reach out to the grassroots and engage the people in the community to join the administration in this venture.
Is also enjoins national and local government agencies, civil society, non-profit organisations, and the international community to provide them opportunities for reformation and social integration.
Anchored on the Philippine Anti-Drug Strategy of the Dangerous Drugs Board, the programme brings concerned agencies around the country to show the real numbers, stories, and solutions in line with the goal of stamping out the perennial problem of illegal drugs.
While it highlights the drug rehabilitation programmes for drug dependents and other drug personalities to turn them into productive members of society, it also features government efforts to expedite the prosecution of all drug cases, provide legal assistance to law enforcers, and ensure the availability of public attorneys for the protection of individuals’ rights in instances of voluntary surrenders and warrantless arrests during anti-illegal drug operations.
It also supports law enforcement agencies conducting investigations on drug syndicates, financiers, and other target personalities.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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Under the government’s Real Numbers programme, of 134,583 anti-drug operations conducted from June 2016 to July 2019, a total of P34.75 billion worth of drugs were seized.
Cualoping said that 193,086 personalities were arrested. He also noted that 421,724 drug personalities surrendered to the government while 5,526 drug suspects died during encounters.