Robredo an ‘asset’ in Duterte’s anti-drug campaign — DILG spox

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo will become an “asset” in the illegal-drug demand reduction campaign and rehabilitation, the Department of the Interior and Local Government’s (DILG) said Wednesday.

“We want to reduce the demand [of illegal drugs] from the public from young users, at ang kasama namin dito yung (along with) Department of Health [DOH], Department of Social Welfare and Development [DSWD] at DILG,” DILG Undersecretary and Spokesperson Jonathan Malaya told reporters at Manila City Hall.

[We want to reduce the demand for illegal drugs from the public, from the users. This is a collaboration with DOH, DSWD and DILG.]

“Sa tingin namin si VP Leni [We think VP Leni] will be an asset in the demand reduction side of the anti-illegal drug campaign,” he added.

Robredo has just announced her decision to accept President Rodrigo Duterte’s offer for her to become co-chairperson of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD).

Asked why Robredo is an asset in the Duterte anti-drug campaign, Malaya said the Vice President can provide an alternate strategy because of her experience as a public official and connections with several organizations.

“We have been running the campaign for the past three years, maybe meron siyang bagong strategy na pwedeng dalhin sa ating kampanya [maybe she has a new strategy that she can offer to improve our crackdown on illegal drugs],” Malaya said.

Robredo, who will be sharing the post with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, can provide assistance to DILG’s “advocacy campaign initiatives against illegal-drugs on the community level, barangay anti-drug clearing operations, cleansing the bureaucracy of unscrupulous personnel involved in illegal drugs, and Community-based Drug Rehabilitation Program.”

Robredo won’t fail

Asked if Robredo was appointed to ICAD to fail, Malaya said the DILG will not allow her to fail as it is a “mutual, beneficial campaign” against illegal drugs.

“Imbis na PDEA lang, andun na rin si VP Robredo (Aside from PDEA, VP Robredo will be there). How can it fail? If VP fails, the entire campaign fails. So the government will not allow it to fail. This is a mutually beneficial relationship between members of the ICAD and the Vice President,” he said.

The DILG official also noted that there will be no conflict in the anti-drug campaign despite Robredo’s leadership in the opposition.

“Pareho lang naman layunin natin para matapos ang [There is a common objective which is to curb illegal drugs] and law enforcement community are one in this campaign,” Malaya said.

Malaya said Robredo could adjust as she has yet to learn about the anti-drug campaign.