Continuing FPRRD’s fight vs illegal drugs

SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go remains determined to continue former President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign to eradicate illegal drugs as he manifested his support to the proposed Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ADAC) Law.

During a public hearing conducted by the Senate Committee on Public Order on Wednesday, August 31, Go, who serves as vice chair of the committee, emphasized how the institutionalization of ADAC shall contribute significantly in the campaign against illegal drugs, citing its vital role in coordinating with relevant agencies and monitoring of drug-related incidents.

“Isa po sa adbokasiya ng nakaraang administrasyon ang pag-maintain ng peace and order sa ating bansa. The Committee on Public Order, headed by my good friend, ako po bilang Vice Chair ng komite, ay suportado ko po ang aming chairperson si Senator (Ronald) dela Rosa, along with Senator (Robin) Padilla, plays a very significant role in making sure that our kababayans get to enjoy the blessings of democracy through peace and order,” Go noted.

“Long overdue na po itong Anti-Drug Abuse Council Law, that seeks to institutionalize Anti-Drug Abuse Councils in every local government unit. Sang-ayon po ang mga panukalang ito sa hangarin ng ating gobyerno na mapanatili ang peace and order sa ating bansa through the eradication of illegal drugs,” he underscored.

According to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Authority (PDEA), there are 25,061 barangays or 59.61% of the 42,045 barangays nationwide were declared drug-cleared and 6,574 barangays as drug-free or unaffected, while 10,410 barangays are yet to be cleared.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) likewise reported that the crime rate in the country drastically decreased by 73.76% from the start of the Duterte Administration in 2016 until 2021.

“Bagama’t po hindi ito perpekto, sinikap po ng Duterte Administration na bumaba ang crime rate natin, and of course sa tulong po ng ating pulis ngayon. And of course sa tulong po ng ating DDB (Dangerous Drugs Board), itong Anti-Drug Abuse Council natin sana po ay maisakatuparan na.”

“Sa totoo lang po, sa nakita ko noong nakaraang administrasyon, kapag na-contain ang paglaganap ng ilegal na droga, kasamang bumababa ang krimen. Pero kapag lumala na naman ang droga, at kapag dumami muli ang mga gumagamit nito, bumabalik po ang kriminalidad,” he added.

Senate Bill No. 203 introduced by Sen. dela Rosa shall mandate every local government unit to have their own ADACs. It aims to create a whole-of-nation approach by establishing a legal framework to ensure effective implementation of the anti-drug policies and programs.

Every LGU shall also integrate Community-Based Drug Rehabilitation Programs in their respective communities, in coordination with the Department of Health, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, and the Dangerous Drug Board.

Together with his filed measures that could also help the campaign against illegal drugs, Go stressed ADAC’s vital role in improving peace and order that would enable the country to achieve progress particularly in the grassroots.

“Mahalaga na hindi masayang ang ating nasimulan at maipagpatuloy ang pagsugpo sa mga nasa likod ng ilegal na droga gaya nang ginawa ng Administrasyong Duterte para masolusyunan din ang problema sa kriminalidad at katiwalian,” underscored Go.

“Kapag bumalik ang droga, babalik po ang kriminalidad at babalik po ang korapsyon, damay-damay iyan. Kaya during the campaign of (former) president Rodrigo Duterte in 2016, isa sa kanyang ipinangako ay labanan ang kriminalidad, labanan po ang iligal na droga, labanan po ang korapsyon sa gobyerno. Hindi man po natupad ang lahat ng ito ng buong-buo, pero sinikap niya po na to the barest minimum po na bumaba ang crime rate natin,” he reiterated.

Go then commended the current administration led by President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for their clear intention to continue the former president’s fight against illegal drugs.

He then expressed his confidence that the creation of ADACs in every community nationwide will definitely step up the government’s campaign against the ills of society, including illegal drugs, criminality and corruption.

“This measure will be able to help the Marcos Administration continue our fight against illegal drugs and bring us a step closer to our goal of a drug-free and safer country. Ang importante rito, makalakad pa rin ang ating mga kababayan nang kumportable at hindi nasasaktan at walang pangamba na sila po’y masasaktan mula sa mga criminal at sa mga drug addict,” he cited.

“Marami pong Pilipino ang gusto pong mamuhay nang tahimik at ligtas. Huwag nating sayangin ‘yung trabaho po ng ating pulis at ng ating militar to maintain peace and order. ‘Yung naumpisahan po nila, at kung ano ang pamamalakad po noon, sana po ay ipagpatuloy n’yo po to make life comfortable for all Filipinos,” urged Go.

As part of his efforts to eliminate illegal drugs in the country and help recovering drug victims, Go refiled SBN 428 which shall establish a Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in every province throughout the country.

The center shall provide care, treatment and accommodation to drug dependents; enhance their physical, psychological and social capability to cope with common problems; and provide after-care, follow-up and social reintegration services, among others.