VIGILANTES TO HELP DRUG WAR? NO THANKS, SAY POLICE

The newly launched Philippine National Police Anti-Illegal Drugs Special
Operation Task Force (PNP AID-SOTF) welcomes any help from the public in the
campaign against illegal drugs - except vigilantism.

"We would welcome any help as long as it is in the legal process,"
Deputy Director General Edgar Aglipay said at a press conference at
Camp Crame.

Aglipay said the task force would conduct an investigation of the
reported summary killings of suspected drug pushers that have occurred
in Quezon City in the past few days.

"This work of so-called vigilante groups is not what is being said in
the law," Aglipay stressed, adding that vigilantes should allow the
law to take its natural course.

He said if these killings go unabated, this could lead to more trouble
in the future.

Aglipay also denied any knowledge of the report that the Revolutionary
Proletariat Party-Alex Boncayao Brigade was coordinating with the PNP
in the campaign against illegal drugs.

"I don't have any information on that," he said.

Aglipay said the task force was created to support the Philippine Drug
Enforcement Agency, the government's lead agency in the war on drugs.