Lina backs off shame drive vs drug lords

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jose Lina Jr. has backtracked on
his promise to make public the names of big-time drug traffickers and their
protectors in government.

Unless the suspects are charged in court, Lina said he cannot disclose
their names as there is no "direct evidence" linking them to the illegal
drug trade.

"What we have is an order of battle which guides the police in pursuing
operations against these drug lords and their protectors," he told
reporters at Camp Bagong Diwa in Bicutan, Taguig yesterday.

Lina said he cannot reveal an intelligence report containing the names of
suspected drug lords and their supposed protectors because they have not
yet been charged in court.

"You cannot make the document public because it would be counter-productive
in our massive effort to go after them," he said.

"We will file charges based on evidence and it would be the proper time for
us then to name the fishes and their protectors."

His earlier pronouncement to name the drug lords and their protectors was
based on "raw intelligence" reports, Lina added.

After the press conference, Lina immediately left for Malacanang.

Earlier, Lina said the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the
Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) are
determined to prosecute drug traffickers to dismantle at least one-third
big-time drug syndicates over the next three months.

Lina made the announcement Saturday night as he emerged from an
anti-illegal drugs workshop presided over by Mrs. Arroyo at the official
presidential residence at the Clark Special Economic Zone.

Lina said the P1-billion fund released by Mrs. Arroyo for the war on drugs
will be audited and allocated based on the needs of agencies involved in
the anti-drug campaign.

"The amount is better than the P140 million annual budget allocation this
year for the anti-illegal drugs campaign," he said.

Thirteen transnational drug syndicates have links with 175 drug rings in
the country, which distribute illegal drugs in thousands of barangays
nationwide, he added.

The meeting of drug enforcement officials was also attended by Defense
Secretary Angelo Reyes, other Cabinet members and Central Luzon local chief
executives.

PDEA director general Anselmo Avenido said he hopes that at least one-third
of the drug syndicates could be dismantled in the coming months.