DRUG SYNDICATES, TERRORISTS HELP EACH OTHER, PDEA SAYS

DRUG syndicates operating in southern Mindanao have forged a symbiotic
relationship with local terrorist groups based there, a ranking government
official said on Monday.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chief, Anselmo Avenido Jr., said,
"We have been receiving reports from our men in the field about this and
what we are doing now is to validate and verify carefully these reports."

He said in an interview that the "symbolic relationship" has been beneficial
to both groups as the terrorists offer safe haven while getting "aid" from
the drug syndicates.

Without elaborating, Avenido said, the PDEA does not discount the
possibility that drug money has somehow helped financed some terrorist
activities.

Although he refused to name which terrorist groups are involved, he said the
raid on a Muslim community in Quezon City two months ago has exposed one
group.

"The raid in Culiat last April has shown the Abu Sayyaf Group has already
dipped its hands in the illegal drug trade," he said.

During the raid, agents seized several firearms, grenades and explosive
ingredients, drug paraphernalia and about 100 grams of shabu and arrested 12
persons.