HIMAGSIK ANTI-DRUGS PROJECT STARTS TOMORROW

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will launch "The Nation's Outrage Against
Drugs: Saving This Generation" (Himagsik) project at the Liwasang Bonifacio
in Manila tomorrow, Monday.

Representatives from the youth and religious sectors as well as civil
society are expected to join Mrs. Arroyo in the nationwide launch of Himagsik.

There will also be launching ceremonies at the City Park in Davao City,
Fuente Osmena in Cebu, and Burnham Park in Baguio City starting at 4:30 p.m.

The Himagsik launch will also be graced by International Boxing Federation
(IBP) superbantamweight champion Manny Pacquiao, billiards legend Efren
"Bata" Reyes, and other sports personalities who will exhort the youth to
junk drugs in favor of sports.

Singers and other movie personalities have also been invited to join the
President in celebrating the first nationwide coordinated and
multi-sectoral fight against illegal drugs.

The launching of Himagsik comes on the heels of the recent success of the
Philippine National Police (PNP) in the fight against illegal drugs with
over P18 billion confiscated from raids of shabu factories.

"While significant milestones have been achieved by the government in the
campaign against drugs, there is still a need to intensify greater
awareness and involvement of all sectors of the society on the urgency and
importance of the anti-drugs campaign," Philippine National Police (PNP)
Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force chief Deputy Director
General Edgardo Aglipay.

Under the project, agencies assigned with fighting illegal drugs, including
the PNP, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), the Dangerous Drugs
Board (DDB), and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), will now be
joined by youth and student organizations, religious groups, and civil
society in generating greater awareness on the evils of illegal drugs.

"There is a need to deflect the general mindset that the anti-drug program
is the government's concern alone. There is a need to send a clear and
strong message to the entire Filipino people that the anti-drug campaign is
the concern of all: the family, the educators, the youth, the religious,
and all responsible citizens who really care to save this generation from
the menacing effects of illegal drugs," Himagsik project director Secretary
Marita Jimenez said.

Under the long-term goals of Himagsik, the various law enforcement agencies
will sign a manifesto of commitment with the different sectors to come up
with alternative projects for the youth in sports, arts, environment, and
other volunteer work to veer them away from the temptations of drugs.

"The project will also enhance the implementation of a more viable
rehabilitation program for drug dependents," Interior and Local Government
Secretary Jose Lina Jr. said.

The Himagsik launch will open with the testimonies of former drug
dependents on the evils of illegal drugs as well as the paths they took on
their way back from rehabilitation.

There will be a mass declaration of commitment to the ideals of Himagsik,
underscoring that the entire process of the war against drugs - from law
enforcement to rehabilitation - should be steadfast and long-term.

The President will render a report on the government's anti-illegal drugs
campaign and reiterate her administration's firm commitment to stamp out
drugs in the country.