Robredo to hold ICAD meeting on Friday

TANAY, Rizal – Vice President Leni Robredo has confirmed that she will hold a meeting with the members of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD) on Friday, 2:00 p.m. at the Quezon City Reception House.

The Vice President said on Thursday that she will be briefed by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chief Director General Aaron Aquino, although she has also talked with former officials from PDEA, the Philippine National Police (PNP), and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

“Kahapon right after the press conference, nagpatawag kaagad ako ng meeting, nag-confer kami with former officials ng PDEA, PNP, ng NBI,” Robredo told reporters in Sitio Macantog in Tanay.

Robredo visited residents of Sitio Macantog, an upland village without electricity, to distribute solar panel kits under the Office of the Vice President’s Angat Buhay program in partnership with an electric company. It takes a one-hour hike through muddy and stony terrain to reach this village.

“Nagrequest kami sa chairman, sa co-chair, ‘yong PDEA Director General to report kung ano ‘yong, hindi lang ‘yong accomplishments ng ICAD, ‘pag sinabi kasi nating giyera dapat kilala natin kung sino ‘yong kalaban,” she added.

According to Robredo, she hopes to know details about the drug war so that they can address the problem properly.

“Kasi ayaw kong magsimula na hindi klaro ‘yong datos, kailangan naiintindihan natin ‘yong datos, ‘yong pinaka-clarong mensahe natin sa kanila, ‘yong giyera kontra droga will continue with the same vigor, same intensity, and the same strength,” she assured.

PDEA’s Aquino was recently quoted saying that Robredo will fail to address the drug problem as it is not her expertise. However, the PDEA chief backtracked when Robredo accepted the ICAD position on Wednesday, days after President Rodrigo Duterte dared him to take over the drug campaign.

Robredo, on the other hand, said she sees no problem working with Aquino, even if the latter has admitted that it would be ‘awkward’ working with the country’s second-highest official.

“Sa akin, walang personal. Hindi ako apektado nang lahat nang sinabi kasi sa akin trabaho ito. Gaya nang parati kong sinasabi, kapag public servant ka dapat wala kang ego, hindi ko pinersonal ‘yong lahat ng comments na nabitawan,” she said.

“Walang puwang para sa trabaho namin ‘yong emosyon, basta kami magtatrabaho kami nang maayos,” she noted.  /muf

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