ESTRADA TELLS DRUG LORDS - I'LL TAKE YOU TO HELL!

"I WILL not bring you hell, I will take you there."

President Estrada hurled this threat against drug lords and retail
sellers Friday night in Cebu City.

Speaking at the National Anti-Drug Forum for the Visayas, Mr. Estrada
also vowed drastic action against local government officials caught
conniving with narcotics syndicate.

And, despite the one-year moratorium on the death penalty, the
President threatened to sock drug dealers with the lethal injection.

“Drug lords deserve no mercy because of the threat they pose to the
youth,” Mr. Estrada said.

“I will not give you mercy, if you are meted the death sentence by the
courts for your crimes. I will see to it that you will get the lethal
injection you deserve,” he added.

The government, he said, will also penalize local executives who fail
to stem the spread of illegal drugs in their communities.

“Those who will be caught conniving or tolerating the activities of
illegal drugs in their areas will face administrative cases and will
lose their post,” the President said.

The President likewise urged Interior Secretary Alfredo Lim to use the
full force of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)
in spearheading the fight against illegal drugs.

The Chief Executive urged local executives and civic groups to join
hands in formulating programs against the drug scourge.

He directed local officials to set aside funds to support anti-drug
activities in all localities as part of the efforts to promote peace
and order and improve public safety.

In return, he promised incentives to local executives who effectively
fight the drug menace in their areas.

Meanwhile, Mr. Estrada has instructed Director Jewel Canson, chief of
the National Drug Enforcement Prevention Coordinating Center, to
assess the performance of anti-drug abuse councils at the provincial,
city, municipal and barangay levels.

He said he intends to leave as legacy to Filipinos a “drug-free”
country."