LINA VOWS TO UNMASK DRUG LORD PROTECTORS

CLARK ECONOMIC ZONE -- Department of Interior and Local Government
(DILG) Secretary Jose Lina, Jr. pledged on Saturday to unmask soon the
big-time drug lords and their protectors.

"It's just a matter of time," Lina said as he emerged from a command
conference on illegal drugs presided over by President Arroyo at the
Clark Development Corp. Building here Saturday night.

He claimed the various agencies mobilized by the President in the
anti-drug war have identified these drug lords and their protectors
and are now in the process of collecting and collating evidence
against them.

"In prosecuting a case, you need proof beyond reasonable doubt," Lina
noted.

He said he was confident the systematic collection of evidence against
the so-called big fish in the dangerous drugs trade and their
protectors in government would soon produce the desired result.

Lina noted there were 13 transnational syndicates and 175 local drug
groups operating in the country and some of them have already been
neutralized.

"The ones heading these drug groups, whether transnational or local,
and their protectors, are already identified and evidence will be
gathered to make sure that they are successfully prosecuted," he said.

According to the DILG chief, the President has instructed the
Dangerous Drugs Board, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and
other law enforcement agencies to produce significant and strategic
results within three months.

"The target is to produce strategic and significant results to the end
that the people see and feel the impact of the campaign against
illegal drugs in the various communities all over the country," Lina
said.

He added their targets in the three-month campaign include one-third
of the transnational groups, one-third of the local drug groups,
one-third of the drug pushers and traffickers, and one-third of the
barangays affected.

Lina also said there would be a colloquium of policemen, judges and
prosecutors on the third week of July so that there would be a speedy
and impartial disposition of drug-related cases.

"If the cases are not resolved in a fast manner, the campaign will
also be affected as the citizens might think there is nothing
happening," he noted.

The first seminar will be held in Manila to thresh out and remove the
problem areas that block the speedy disposition of cases.

Lina also said the cleansing of the ranks of law enforcement agencies
has also produced results. He noted several policemen have tested
positive for drug use and some of them are already facing summary
dismissal proceedings.