TIGHTEN NOOSE ON DRUG SYNDICATES - GMA

To achieve a drug-free Philippines by 2010, President Gloria Macapagal
Arroyo yesterday directed the Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task
Force (AIDSOT Force) to "tighten the noose on drug syndicates and make sure
they are unwelcome in the country.

The President told the anti-drug task force under the Philippine National
Police (PNP) to follow up its accomplishments in the past year during its
first anniversary celebration in Malacanang.

The task force received praises from the President for the neutralization o
f
239 local drug groups, arrest of more than 30,000 drug offenders,
confiscation of more than R22 billion worth of "shabu, and raids on 22
clandestine drug laboratories since its creation last year.

In meeting her aim to eliminate illicit drug trade before she steps down
from office, Arroyo ordered the year-old task force "to go beyond
traditional approaches but always within legal bounds and pursue seamless
operations."

"It is immoral for any society to stand by while the agents of ruin
terrorize our youth, undermine our political stability, and jeopardize the
social order," she said in her speech.

The President acknowledged the war against illegal drugs is far from over.
"Those deep underground drug laboratories, clandestine laboratories, and
chemical warehouse continue still to mix the deadly brew. Drug dealers and
pushers continue to ply the deadly trade," she said.

"If we want to have a moral society, we must address this," she remarked.

The task force, led by Deputy Director General Edgar Aglipay, must keep its
close coordination with international counterparts, especially from China,
India, Myanmar, Laos, and Iran, to clamp down the "interlocking web of drug
syndicates" here and abroad, Arroyo said.

She said the government would continue to secure the country's shores and
borders against the entry of prohibited drugs not only by direct
interception at sea and airports but also strengthening the vigilance of
local government units.

She noted that anti-drug task force must work closely with the local
governments to strike at the source of the illegal drugs in communities.

"Let us aim that drug syndicates will live in an environment of zero
tolerance not only within the Philippines but also internationally," she
said.

Police authorities must also sustain its partnership with the civil society
and non government organizations in drug abuse and prevention, education an
d
rehabilitation, she said.

To steer the youth away from illegal drugs, Arroyo directed the Department
of Education to allow NGOs to once again teach values formation in public
schools.

Arroyo admitted that the root cause of drugs is poverty and corruption,
which she has promised to eliminate in the next six years in office.

"Relevant to our anti-drug campaign is the pro-poor agenda that I have
pledged to lift up our poorest, and provide them with dignity and hope,
which are the best antidotes to drug abuse," she said.

In the ceremony, the President presented plaque of merits to top performing
regional AIDSOT groups, namely the Police Regional Office- Mimorapa,
National Capital Region, PRO-Region 11, PRO-Calabarzon, and PRO-Region 3.

Plaque of merits were also awarded to top four performing special operation
units against illegal drugs.

Cebu Archbishop Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, Judge Fortunato de Garcia Jr. of
Regional Trial Court of Cebu Branch 15, Kilos Laya Laban sa Droga-Cagayan
province chapter, and the United States Drug Enforcement Administration
Manila office were given plaque of recognition in their efforts to fight
illegal drugs.

The President also conferred the Philippine Legion of Honor to National
Police chief Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr., and Aglipay during the
ceremony.