MORE MONEY NEEDED FOR ANTI-DRUG DRIVE

LACK of budget and personnel hampers the police's campaign against illegal
drug abuse and trafficking, the People's Journal learned yesterday.

The Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force, which has a measly
P1.5 million monthly support fund, is also saddled by lack of police
officers equipped with proper training and knowledge in anti-illegal drug
operations. This prompted Camp Crame to take former Narcotics Group
director Chief Supt. Reynor R. Gonzales and his men out of the "freezer" to
join AID-SOTF, headed by Deputy Director General Ricardo F. de Leon.

Activated on June 18 last year, the AID-SOTF confiscated more than P22
billion worth of shabu and ephedrine, arrested more than 32,000 drug users,
pushers, financiers, cultivators and manufacturers; neutralized 205 local
drug groups and 22 clandestine shabu factories and warehouses; cleared more
than 4,700 drug-affected barangays; and arrested and prosecuted 205
policemen involved either directly or indirectly in illegal drugs.

But since former AID-SOTF head Gen. Edgar Aglipay became PNP chief, the
group has not made a major accomplishment.

Sources blamed this to the transfer of former AID-SOTF officers and men to
different units. Among them were Senior Superintendents Federico Laciste
Jr. and Jaime D. Calungsod Jr.

"We need to have more dedicated and highly-trained officers and men because
fighting drugs is not that simple. They have to undergo training and should
be well-versed when it comes to Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive
Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002," said an AID-SOTF officer who spoke on
condition of anonymity.

The AID-SOTF has sought the help of PDEA chair Anselmo S. Avenido Jr. in
training new PNP personnel who will be detailed with the TF.