Duterte cites BJMP for role in campaign vs illegal drugs
Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Sun, 14 Jul 2019 08:25:40 +0000
President Duterte has commended jail authorities for the seizure of illegal drugs in prisons but he admitted he was puzzled at how the smuggling of the contraband continues.
Speaking at the 28th anniversary celebration of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City last Friday, the President expressed concern that illegal drugs were “really flooding the country.”
“I also recognize your crucial role in the campaign against illegal drugs by working with the Philippine National Police and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in our anti-illegal drug operations in our jail facilities,” the President said.
“Lumulusot talaga eh. I don’t know why,” he added.
Duterte said he was pleased with the almost 30,000 “Greyhound” operations that led to the confiscation of the illegal drugs, weapons, and almost P2-million worth of cash and other contraband from jails but he raised question how they were smuggled into these facilities.
Nonetheless, Duterte has directed the BJMP to remain dedicated to uphold the rule of law and protect democratic institutions. He noted that in line with efforts to keep the integrity and professionalism of the BJMP personnel, more than 13,000 surprise drug testing were conducted which led to the dismissal of those involved in illegal drugs.
In his remarks, the President admitted that the government was having difficulty resolving the drug problem, citing the alleged involvement of 12,000 barangay captains “coupled with some mayors” in the narcotics trade.
He also claimed that illegal drugs are being dumped into the country’s shores by suspected drug syndicates.
“If you look at the map of the Philippines, your right hand is the east, your left hand is the west. So they are jettisoning drugs here, nag-je-jettison rin sila dito sa kabila,” he said.
So far, Duterte said the country has 1.6 million persons who have become slaves to shabu.
“Inutil na ‘yan sila,” he said. “All they have to do is to wait for the monkey to ride on their back and start to scratch and look for the chemical. ‘Yung walang pera, ‘yun. Magnakaw, magpatay,” he said. (Genalyn Kabiling)