MORE MUSLIMS INTO DRUG TRADE, SMEAR ISLAM

ARE more Filipino Muslims getting involved in drug trafficking?

Based on statistics from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the
answer seems to be yes.

Since its formation on July 31, 2002, the PDEA has arrested and jailed
82 Muslims for illegal drug activities. From July to December 2002,
only four were arrested but the figure rose to 52 in 2003.

So far this year, 26 Muslims have been arrested for shabu
trafficking.

To address the problem, Senior Supt. Sukarno G. Ikbala Sr., head of
the Salaam Police, a unit created to go after Muslims involved in
criminal activities, said that he and his men were embarking on a
massive program to teach their fellow Muslims about the evils of drugs.

"We have a complete program on that particular aspect. We're regularly
talking with Muslim leaders and asking their full support in the
campaign against criminality, terrorism and drug trafficking and
abuse," Ikbala said.

He stressed that the Muslim Quran completely prohibits the use of
drugs. "Nakakasira talaga sa pangalan ng Islam ang ibang kasama namin
na involved sa droga," he said.

"But we have a total approach here. We're instilling the Islamic
values among all our brothers, we're training our fellow policemen who
will in turn conduct talks with our brothers in different Islamic
communities in Metro Manila and other parts of the country," Ikbala
said.

PO2 Abulcair K. Bangcola, a member of the Police-Community Relations
Groups, meanwhile, has a different view of the issue.

"Maraming tamad na kapwa namin. Gusto nila instant pera kaya di sila
dapat tawaging Muslim. Kasi pag tinawag kang Muslim, that means
complete submission to the will of God. Yun ang religion na Islam," he
said.

Bangcola said that as far as he is concerned, Islamic leaders are very
vocal against illegal drug trafficking but some of them appear to be
helpless in some instances. "Ipinagbabawal talaga yan pero minsan ang
naiinvolve, malalaki, mga influential na pamilyang Muslim," he noted.

PDEA chief Anselmo S. Avenido confirmed that illegal drug traders have
invaded almost all Muslim communities in Metro Manila and different
parts of the country, including Ilocos, Bataan, Cagayan and Bulacan.

"Di basta-basta mapasok ng mga tao natin. Mahirap kumuha ng asset," he
said.

Avenido said they have long been watching the involvement of some
Muslims in the Chinese-dominated shabu trafficking industry.

"Marami tayong natatanggap na report sa Culiat, Maharlika Village at
Quiapo and we're coordinating with Muslim elders," he said. "They're
also concerned with the involvement of Muslims in drugs and they want
to help us."

Avenido added that they were looking into reports that some bigtime
Muslim drug dealers have forged an "unholy alliance" with Chinese drug
lords in conducting their illegal trade in the country.

"Sa ngayon, maaaring Chinese syndicate ang source ng shabu na kanilang
tinitinda pero maaaring galing din ito sa Mindanao, sa mga traditional
drug lords," he said.

He even identified a politician in Mindanao who has long been
suspected of involvement in bigtime shabu trafficking although the
police have yet to pin the suspect down due to lack of evidence or
witnesses.

PDEA Metro Manila Regional Office chief Senior Supt. Orlando M.
Mabutas said that based on his investigation, some Muslims have gained
the trust of Chinese drug personalities in the country.

"Sila ang pinagkakatiwalaan ng mga Chinese drug lords kaya sila ang
nabibigyan ngayon ng shabu," he said.

Mabutas said that arrested Muslim drug traffickers do not squeal when
they are arrested, thus hampering follow-up operation is concerned.