NEW ORDER OF BATTLE READIED VS DRUG FIENDS

Interior and Local Government Secretary Joey Lina yesterday directed the
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Philippine National Police to come
up with an order of battle naming all the drug lords, financiers,
manufacturers, and pushers of illegal substances in the country.

In his radio program "Sagot Ko Yan," Lina, also OIC-Chairman of the
Dangerous Drugs Board, said the order of battle aims to reduce the illegal
drug problem in more than 42,000 barangays in the entire country.

He said the PDEA and the PNP intend to reduce by 10 percent the barangay
listings of those involved in illegal drugs every quarter.

To achieve this end, Lina called on all local chief executives, including
all barangay chairmen, to help the PDEA, PNP and other law enforcement
agencies in the fight against illegal drugs.

"All the barangays all over the country must update the list of drug
pushers and users, protectors, and financiers in their jurisdiction before
the end of January. The listings from our barangays will be the basis for
PDEA and PNP to prepare the monthly update of how many were arrested and
charged," Lina said.

Citing statistics, he said 25 percent of inmates who are detained in jails
around the country are involved in offenses related to illegal drugs, while
70 percent of crimes committed are drug-related.

Figures from the DDB also show there are an estimated 3.4 million drug
users in the country today, 1.8 million of whom are habitual while 1.6
million are occasional users.

At the same time, Lina clarified that the PNP can conduct operations
against illegal drugs and effect arrests in their territorial jurisdictions.

"The law says that PDEA is the lead agency but the police can still operate
and file cases themselves. They only need to coordinate properly with the
PDEA," Lina explained.

"There is nothing in the law that says the police and other law enforcement
agencies are barred from operating against illegal drug dealers," he added.

Lina said he will issue a clarification to the Supreme Court and the
Department of Justice for the proper guidance of fiscals and judges amid
reports that some courts do not accept illegal drug cases filed by police
personnel if PDEA personnel are not involved in the operation.