Implementing anti- illegal drugs strategy

EDITORIALS

Executive Order No. 66 of President Rodrigo Duterte has institutionalized the Philippine Anti-Illegal Drugs Strategy (PADS).

The order directed all government offices, departments, bureaus, agencies and offices, including government-owned or controlled corporations and state universities and colleges to implement the PADS in accordance with their respective mandates. 

Non-government organizations, civil society organizations and private institutions were urged to actively support projects and programs under the PADS.

The Dangerous Drugs Board shall be the lead agency in the implementation of the PADS.

It directs all government entities and local government units to formulate and adapt their respective drug-free workplace programs and conduct authorized drug testing among their respective officials and personnel in a manner consistent with the Constitution, law and applicable DDB issuances and other implementing government agencies.

The order encourages all LGUs to support and implement the PADS through the following initiatives:  to formulate and submit their own implementing and operational plans to the DDB; establish and/or strengthen their anti-drug abuse councils; work in partnership with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Philippine National Police in implementing the PADS, and barangay drug clearing operations in their respective localities.

It urges LGUs to coordinate with the Dept. of Health relative to the assessment and management of those found using or abusing dangerous drugs in their respective localities and to appropriate a portion of their respective annual appropriations for anti-illegal drugs programs, projects and activities. The PADS shall be continuously reviewed and studied by the DDB.

The order directs all government entities to submit to the DDB every month of February of each year, an annual report outlining or detailing accomplishments relative to their respective tasks, undertakings, programs and projects under the PADS.

Probing slay of activists

The international Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called for an independent investigation into the recent killings of activists in the country. 

The HRW noted that five members of militant groups were killed this month. It called on United Nations member states to raise the issue during the UN Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva next week.

“UN member states should ensure an international investigation into the deteriorating human rights situation in the Philippines, including the thousands of unlawful killings under the Duterte administration’s... war on drugs, the killing of activists and other serious human rights violations,” the HRW said.

On Monday, Neptali Morada, 40, a member of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan was shot dead in Naga City, Camarines Sur.

A day earlier, motorcycle-riding gunmen killed Nonoy Palma, 57, a member of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas in Bukidnon.

On June 15, Ryan Hubilla, 22, and Nelly Bagasala, 69, volunteers for human rights group Karapatan were killed in Sorsogon also by unidentified gunmen.

Dennis Sequeña, 48, of the Partido Manggagawa ng Pilipinas was killed by motorcycle-riding assailants in Cavite on June 2.

“UN member states should not let another session of the Human Rights Council go by without adopting measures that will put serious human rights violations in the Philippines under scrutiny,” HRW Philippines researcher Carlos Conde said. 

The HRW lamented that only a few murder of activists have been seriously investigated and hardly resulted in convictions.

“Often, the military and police accuse the victims of being either members or sympathizers of the Communist Party of the Philippines or its armed wing, the New People’s Army,” the group said.

Meanwhile, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra created special teams composed of prosecutors and agents of the National Bureau of Investigation to look into the killing of members of militant groups in Bicol.

Guevarra issued Administrative Order 35 directing teams to determine if the incidents are politically motivated and to assist in build-up of cases.