Lacson to PDEA, PNP: Shift focus to ‘big time drug lords’

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Panfilo Lacson on Wednesday said that catching small-time drug distributors is a ‘waste of resources’ and that the government must shift its focus to ‘big time drug lords.’

“[Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)] must just focus on super big time na drug lords,” Lacson said in an interview over CNN Philippines.

“Ang PDEA sometimes we hear maski ang ilang gramo ilang kilo na hinuhuli nila. That’s a waste of resources,” the senator added, saying that small-time distributors must only be used as ‘baits.’

(Sometimes we hear PDEA arresting those in possession of small amounts of drugs. That’s a waste of resources.)

Lacson said that the PDEA and the Philippine National Police (PNP) must begin shifting its strategy in solving the illegal drugs problem.

Illegal drugs, the senator said, must be interdicted even before it reaches distribution phase.

“Maybe PDEA and even the PNP, mag-isip ng ibang strategy, mag-shift ng strategy. Sobrang focus nila sa market kasi supply reduction, parang merkado ang laging tinitingnan,” Lacson said.

(Maybe PDEA and even the PNP should think of a new strategy. They are too focused on the market to reduce supply. So they are just looking at the market.)

Asked whether the country is winning the war against drugs, Lacson said empirical data is needed to determine the country’s state is in the campaign.

“That’s the reason why I recommended that  DDB (Dangerous Drugs Board) should be given P70 million to conduct some analytical and methodical survey and analysis,” Lacson said.

“Nasaan na tayo as far as the drug situation is concerned? (Where are we as far as the drug situation is concerned)?” the senator asked. /ee