MILITARY TO BOOST ANTI-DRUG CRUSADE

PRESIDENT Arroyo Wednesday ordered the military to assist the police and the
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in its campaign against illegal
drugs, including the augmenting of forces during anti-drug operations.

Arroyo during the 56th anniversary of the Philippine Air Force said the
Armed Forces particularly the Air Force has made a big contribution in the
campaign and should continue to do so.

She cited the efforts of Major Dominador Lim Jr., who led "Operation:
Caterpillar I" from June 18 to July 26 last year in Davao del Sur and
Sarangani that led to the uprooting of some 20,000 marijuana shrubs
amounting to P60 million.

Lim received the "Gawad sa Kaularan" award from Arroyo during the
festivities Wednesday.

"In our fight against drugs, we will call in the military to supplement
police operations and PDEA operations whenever necessary. Replicating in our
anti-illegal drugs campaign the inter-operability of police and military
forces under the leadership under the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency,"
Arroyo said.

The President said the success of the campaign against the drug menace lies
in the working together of alls sectors be it from the police, the military,
the local government units and the community.

She said the campaign should not be partisan nor should it divide the
country by ethnic or religious lines.

Arroyo prior to the event presided over a command conference on illegal
drugs in Marawi City where she personally asked the Muslim community to get
involve in the fight against drugs.

"Marawi is our most noted Islamic city. I wanted to bring home the message
to our Muslim bothers that this war against drugs is as much their own as it
is of the entire nation. There have been growing tie-ups between terrorist
groups and drug syndicates in Mindanao and it's about time we meet these
deadly conspiracies head on," she said in a speech after the command
conference.

She also thanked the Muslims for their commitment to remain vigilant in the
campaign and asked them to "extend their vigilance to all the urban centers
in the country where they have a presence."

But Arroyo reminded that all efforts pertaining to the campaign must be
undertaken within the bounds of law.

She added that the people must not resort to vigilantism to win the war.

"Every Filipinos must own this campaign. But even as we proceed, kahit na
tayo ay masigasig na lumalaban sa droga, kailangan naman nating gawin ito sa
ilalim ng batas. Hindi tayo pumapayag sa mga vigilante," Arroyo said.