'HUNT DRUG DEALERS LIKE ORDINARY FELONS' - GMA

President Arroyo on Saturday unveiled a four-point strategy that the
government has devised to stem the proliferation of illegal drugs in the
country.

At her weekly radio address, the President said she wanted to see all
parties trafficking in illegal drugs hunted down like ordinary criminals,
especially those drug lords being protected by police and military officials.

"I want to see the arrest of the drug syndicates and their leaders, I want
to see the campaign against illegal drugs, the pushers as well as the
protectors, particularly those in uniform," she said.

The four-point strategy would make illegal drugs more inaccessible and more
expensive to users through a campaign of steady attrition in drug supply
lines, concentrating in areas of highest density of drug trafficking to put
pressure on points of highest profitability, concentrating on exposing the
big fish, including the highest-ranking police and government patrons, and
stopping drug use before it starts at the most vulnerable age levels.

For the strategy to succeed, the combined efforts of homes, communities,
schools and civil society will be required, the President said.

"The future of our country will depend on this campaign [against illegal
drugs]. That is why I'm asking the [people] and the media to help."

The President said the strategy should be as intensive as the recent
campaign against terrorism, in which all sectors did their part to combat
terrorists and prevent further attacks.

On Wednesday she gave the Philippine National Police leadership 90 days to
eliminate the narcotics trade in the country by immobilizing at least 10
big drug syndicates.

She also ordered the police to hunt down not only the syndicates but also
the protectors and political patrons, as she warned of the return of
narcopolitics in the 2004 presidential and national election.

The President expressed concern that drug trafficking might increase,
because some politicians could resort to it to fund their campaigns.

A recent police study showed that an estimated 3 million of 82 million
Filipinos are drug dependents.

The President expressed optimism that the three-month timetable she gave
for the campaign against illegal drugs is realistic, based on the
experiences of other countries.

Interviewed on television Saturday, she noted that Thailand was able to
solve its drug problems within 90 days and even spent less than what her
administration has allotted.

The President has been observing other countries and their accomplishments
to be able to adapt their methods to the Philippines.

"I'm always looking at the best practices of other countries like Thailand.
After three months Prime Minister Thaksin [Shinawatra] succeeded in his
campaign," she said.

The President had a chance to talk with Thaksin recently about Thailand's
successful antidrug campaign.

"I think we have no reason now to fail. Thaksin has done the job in just
three months," she said.