Philippine congressman identifies 285 drug syndicates

MANILA, March 19 (Kyodo) -- A Philippine congressman has identified
285 drug syndicates and gangs operating in the country, but admitted
Friday the police are having a hard time neutralizing these groups
because of lack of funds.

''The problem for the police today is lack of funds...you have to
understand these drug networks have very extensive networks and
financial resources,'' Congressman Roilo Golez said during a radio
interview.

Golez added the illegal drug trade rakes in 250 billion pesos (6.6
billion dollars) annually and about 1.8 million Filipinos are using
illegal drugs.

He also revealed 61 of the syndicates have connections with military
and police officials, adding his information indicates the highest law
enforcement official involved in the illicit drug trade is an army
major.

Among the more prominent syndicates in the list are the Taiwan-based
14-K Gang and the Hong Kong-based Bamboo Gang.

The congressman said he decided to reveal the list to generate public
support for the government's antidrug campaign.

''We must first know our enemies before the community can take
action,'' Golez said.

Gen. Jewel Canson, head of the Philippine National Police anti-drug
campaign, confirmed the police have about the same count of drug
syndicates and gangs.

''The gang members and the names of the gangs coincides with the
listing of our target groups, which are now being monitored by
different law enforcement units,'' Canson said.

Canson clarified, however, some of the leaders of the gangs are
already in jail, but new leaders take over and the syndicate
operations continue.

Anticrime watch groups said most heinous crimes in the Philippines are
committed by people under the influence of drugs.