PNP PRESSES CAMPAIGN VS DRUG RINGS

The Presidential AntiOrganized Crime Task Force (PAOCTF) will train its guns
on illegal drug trafficking this year, after capping a banner year of
fighting kidnap -for-ransom gangs nationwide in 1998, Malacanang announced
yesterday.

Philippine National Police (PNP) Director Panfilo Lacson, commander of the
PAOCTF, said his unit has already started building up an intelligence
network against drug traffickers and their contacts abroad.

In an interview, Lacson said the PAOCTF is likely to intensify its
coordination with other law enforcement agencies because of the
international nature of drug trafficking.

"We have started to build up intelligence on drugs because the kidnapings in
Metro Manila, Luzon and the Visayas have subsided. In Mindanao, there are
still a few ongoing kidnaping cases but there are no new incidents. Now, we
are training our guns, so to speak, on the illegal drugs trade," said
Director Lacson.

During its first six months, the PAOCTF managed to stop several major
kidnap-for-ransom (KFR) gangs in Metro Manila, resulting in a two-month lull
in kidnaping.

This prompted the task force to shift its focus on the drug trade which,
Lacson said, remains one of the biggest headaches of the law enforcement
community.

Lacson said, however, tackling the drug trade would mean a more orchestrated
effort and better coordination with other law enforcement agencies as most
of the drug supply comes from abroad.

He cited the case of "shabu" or metamphetamine hydrochloride, a previously
obscure substance which he said is now commonly used by drug abusers.

"Before, few have heard of shabu, but now it is so common it's alarming,"
said Lacson.