SOLON WARNS VS. NARCO POLITICS

Rep. Jose Carlos Lacson (Neg. Occ., 3rd district) warned Saturday of the
danger of the Philippines falling into the clutches of narco-politics.

There is a threat that we may lose our liberties, our freedom, and fall
into the hands of narco-politicians, he said.

Lacson, however, did not amplify his warning, except to urge Filipinos to
join hands in a common effort to avert such a contingency.

He cited the claim of Mayor Luzviminda Valdez that suspected drug pushers
usually fight back against arresting officers by filing charges against
them. She said Inspector Clarence Dongail alone has already about 48
charges filed against him," Valdez said, crediting the anti-drug chief as
the most effective in the arrest of scores of suspected drug pushers and
distributors.

Both Lacson and Valdez, claim that narcotics drug lords, have joined hands
to fund some unscrupulous political bets.

Both, as well as Boyet Uy Chiat representing Gov. Joseph Maranon, hammered
on the need for spiritual revival as the most effective means to curbing
the drug threat as well as in curing drug addicts. The three were among the
government officials invited to attend the induction of the board of
trustees of the REACH Drug Abuse Foundation, Inc. at the rehabilitation
center in the Paglaum Village Saturday.

The board is headed by Aida Lizares with Dr. Antonio Gauzon as the vice
president; corporate secretary - Rolando Villamor who took over from the
late Constancio Legaspi.

Valdez said any family can claim to be exempted from the insidious invasion
of drugs, and cited her own experience with her brother, now a pastor of a
Southern Baptist community is Silay City who had caused trouble to his
siblings and literally thrown out them until she ended up with Valdez and
her husband, Art. One day her brother asked their help to allow him to
study to become a pastor, she said.

Gauzon said psychiatrists involved in drug rehabilitation have recommended
the extension to 18 months the minimum required residency for one to be
declared cured, or over the hump.

A highlight of the program was the turnover by Mr. and Mrs. William Tan of
P6,000 contributed by members of the Bacolod Capitol Lions Club and friends
to REACH. Charter president Rolly Espina also turned over $100 coursed
through the Bacolod Capitol Lions Club by his sister, Yolanda Llabore.

Rev. Fr. Arnold Deletina officiated at the Mass before the REACH induction
and residents presented several musical numbers of show their progress.

The inducted officers included assistant secretary Edith Robillo, treasurer
Andres Si and assistant treasurer Clarita Ong, auditor William Tan with
Encarnacion Mangpin as his assistant, Charter president Espina as PIO with
Col. (ret.) Wilfred Figueroa as assistant PIO.

Members of the board are Councilor Celia Flor, Primo Esleyer, Virgilio
Arisola, Eulalia Caro, Celia Ferrer, Esther A. Lopez, District 30B-Governor
Em Legasipi-Ang, Glora Tajanglangit, Dr. Domingo Vega and Myrna Castillo.

The advisory board is made up of Jhay Montelibano, Valdez and Rep. Monico
Puentevella. Msgr. Ramon Tirania is the spiritual director.*