To Win The War Against Illegal Drugs, Government Should Win Public Support and Trust

DRUGS AND CRIMES

This year, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) was allocated Eight Hundred Sixty Nine Million Pesos and Ninety Six Thousand Pesos (P 869,096,000 pesos), while the Dangerous Drugs Board was allocated the amount of One Hundred Two Million and Four Hundred Thirty Five Thousand Pesos (P102,435,000). The budget is the government’s war chest in the war against drugs.

It may not be huge as compared to other departments’ budget but it is bigger than last year, but like any other war, it is not won by having the biggest funds or logistical support but by how the funds are wisely utilized.

The biggest battle the government is facing is not simply the arrest of street pushers, drug manufacturers, couriers, and treating users, but by winning the heart, support and trust of the public.

The reason why drug syndicates thrive and continues to prosper despite the arrest of thousands of suspected pushers and convictions of hundreds, is because up to now government is losing the war against drugs because the public has not been truly convinced that the government is serious in its war. This is sadly true.

It is common for the public to frown every time someone is arrested, the mind of the ordinary citizen would ask: is the arrest is truly legitimate? Would it not result to freeing the suspect in exchange of money?

Would the government, through its law enforcers and prosecutors, capable of convicting them? These are questions that the government has to address.

Unless the government earns the trust of the public, these circumstances will continue: civilians throwing stones on arresting officers, civilians refusing to divulge the names and whereabouts of drug pushers and others in the
watch list and civilians murmuring on the integrity of anti-drug operations.

How could government earn the trust of the public? There are simple rules that should be complied:

1. Law enforcers to live decent lives. (no vices, no luxurious vehicles, no night life, no paramours, no fancy jewelries and clothing and staying away of suspected drug peddlers).

2. Prosecutors must be effective in their job in prosecuting drug cases, zealously advocating to win its cases.

3. Judges, being part of the government must not take lightly drug cases. If the judges repeatedly observes a lack of competence and efficacy on either of the law enforcers or prosecutors, he should help educate them.

4. Law enforcers’ most potent weapon is knowledge of the law, he/she can only be effective if he knows the law better than the criminals.

5. Above all else, SINCERITY and COMMITMENT to its duty, believing in the vision that we could win the war against drugs.

It is only when the public joins the government in its war against drugs that the government can win.

And the public, instead of siding with the drug peddlers or syndicates or simply just fence setters or spectators in the war, chooses to be part of the war and say to himself/herself: DRUG FREE PHILIPPINES, MY DUTY, YOUR DUTY, EVERYBODY’S MISSION.

About the Author: Clarence Paul V. Oaminal is a lawyer and author of ‘The Textbook on The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002’. He is the Vice-chairman and Undersecretary of the Dangerous Drugs Board and is the current adviser and presiding officer of Cebu City Anti-Drug Abuse Council. He also hosts the local advocacy program ‘Krimen ug Drugas’ in CCTN Channel 47.