EDITORIAL

Drug lords and random checks among students

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has instructed the Department of Interior and Local Governments, Dangerous Drugs Board and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to continue updating the list of known drug lords, monitor their activities, pinpoint drug havens including trafficking of suspected personalities or drug lords.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the President reminded the three government agencies on their commitment to put a stop to the trade and use of illegal drugs. Ermita said the President gave the instructions to DILG Secretary Ronaldo Puno, DDB Chairman Vicente Sotto III and PDEA Director- General Dionisio Santiago Jr.

The President also instructed the DILG to ensure that local government units are updated in the government’s drive against illegal drugs. Ermita added that this is because of a report that a few local government executives, police and employees of the judiciary are allegedly in cahoots and even “tipping off some of the pushers and even the drug lords whenever search warrants are issued.”

The President also instructed the agencies to intensify intelligence work, citing its importance to put a stop to illegal drug activities. Aside from posting undercover agents in suspected places, Ermita said the President also called for the acquisition and training of drug-sniffing dogs.

The President also ordered the Solicitor General to relentlessly pursue drug-related cases to make the anti-illegal drug campaign more effective and successful. Well and good, but then, will somebody please tell Malacanang to stop random drug tests as these are unconstitutional according to the Commission on Human Rights?