Drug proliferation: a national security crisis
Around 20 years ago, I was in Washington, DC for anti-transnational crime and terror discussions. One office I visited was the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). I was informed that, from their vantage point, the Philippines was becoming a narco-state like Colombia. Narco-politics was setting in. Most syndicates were Chinese triads from the mainland, Taiwan, Macau, and HK. They were funding elections; and corrupting local and national officials, the media and the criminal justice system — law enforcers, prosecutors, judges and jailers.
Top cops don’t reach their positions unless they have the backing of national officials, elected and appointed. That could only mean that those officials gave their blessings or looked the other way or were simply negligent of their supervisory and oversight duties. Those top cops have subordinates down the chain of command. How many drug labs, drug markets and drug dens are under their protection and control on orders from, or in connivance with, above?
How badly infected is government, society, media and the justice system?
PRRD says that at least 35 rogue mayors are in government’s sights. Some are mayors of capital cities. A notorious female mayor of Maguing, Lanao del Sur, was already arrested along with her husband, an Army officer. I heard of her over a decade ago but nothing happened then, until now. And, since then, a number of local police officers have also been arrested or died resisting arrest.
Ninety-two percent of Metro Manila barangays are allegedly infiltrated where there’s at least one pusher and addict. There are over 42,000 barangays in the country. How many are actually infiltrated? At least three million Filipinos are addicts; are there more? How many commit drug-related crimes like rape, robbery or kidnap with murder, and homicide from road rage? How many steal from their relatives, friends, colleagues and employers to sustain the habit?
Before PRRD took over as president, there was a surge of killings around the country. He suspected “rubout” of potential squealers. In Cebu, a “Robin Hood” of sorts bought his community’s loyalty such that after he was suspiciously killed thousands mourned and walked behind his cortege. In contrast, when PRRD took over, tens of thousands of addicts and pushers in various parts of the country surrendered. Reality struck home. The menace is widespread and we don’t have adequate drug rehab facilities to liberate users from the deadly habit.
Combating the drug menace requires several courses of action.
Firstly, a concerted effort must be undertaken by the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches of government today to reform the criminal justice system. It calls for thorough housecleaning by the Executive, and complementary Legislative and Judicial action. The Civil Service Commission and Solicitor-General should vet the road map to ensure trouble-free execution by the DILG and DOJ. From experience, early retirement without prejudice to judicial action elicits the least resistance.
Secondly, legislative action to obtain require budgetary support for:
a.) early retirement;
b.) new hires;
c.) capacity and capability building;
d.) proper remuneration and compensation.
Relatedly, the Legislature should:
a.) amend existing laws to render proper justice on all concerned;
b.) pass a new National Security Act;
c.) restore the death penalty for drug dealing and usage.
As things stand today, a top drug lord could brag before you that he is one, and nothing could be done about it unless he’s caught “en flagrante delicto,” or red-handed, with the evidence or in the act of drug dealing. The law must be amended to close that gap that makes them untouchable. The Judiciary, in turn, should create special courts to speedily resolve drug-related cases. Selected judges must be incorruptible and committed crime-fighters.
Drug syndicates and their accomplices destroy the nation. The terror they inflict on society — both at home and in the streets — is 24/7 non-stop. Corrupting the government and weakening society must be seen not only as a heinous crime but also as treason and a hostile act when foreign elements are involved. If a drug war is to be waged, it must be clearly based on these premises. As such, the state must employ all legal means possible to detect, deter and defeat the threat.
A drugged nation is a weak and defeated nation.
How many Filipinos take drugs for self-gratification; keep working beyond normal limits to make both ends meet; commit a crime; or escape their harsh realities? Habitual drug users eventually become unproductive, unstable and unpredictable. They exhibit atrociously abnormal behavior. And drugs, as we all know it, eventually kill. Users are drawn to suicide or drawn to steal and kill; while the syndicates kill potential squealers, rivals, debtors and law enforcers.
Whether we like it or not, we are a nation at war. Our long-term survival is at stake. It’s all hands on deck to resolve this crisis with single-minded purpose and brave hearts. We owe it to our children to have a safe and secure future.
Rafael M. Alunan III is chair of the MAP National Security Committee. He was former Secretary of the Interior and Local Government, and also held the post of chair of the National Action Committee on Anti-Hijacking and Terror in the Ramos Administration.
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