Gov’t gaining ground in fight vs Mexican drug cartel – Palace

 INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The Palace on Thursday said the continued arrest of people allegedly linked to the notorious Sinaloa Mexican drug cartel proved that authorities are gaining ground in the fight against illegal drugs.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma dismissed comments that the series of arrests reflected the alarming increase or expansion of drug operations in the country, arguing instead that it shows immediate action on the matter.

“Pinakikita po ng mga ulat na yan na may agarang tugon ang ating pamahalaan diyan po sa existence and presence of illegal drug trafficking activities kaya ang pananaw po ng ating law enforcement agencies ay pag-ibayuhin pa ang kanilang pagsisikap na supilin at pigilin ang paglaganap ng illegal na droga sa bansa,” he said.

(Those reports show that there is immediate response on the part of the government on the existence and presence of illegal drug trafficking activities. That is why law enforcement agencies are working hard to suppress and stop the spread of illegal drugs in the country.)

Coloma said the situation is being closely monitored by the authorities and that “all possibilities are being studied by the government to properly address the problem.”

The Secretary said this includes the Department of Transportation and Communication improving their equipment in airports and seaports to aid the detection of illegal drugs.

Coloma said they are welcoming proposals from lawmakers to impose a higher penalty on violators of Republic Act 9165 or the Dangerous Drugs Law.

“Well, bukas po tayo sa pagpapanukala ng mga mambabatas ng mas mahigpit na mga hakbang na maaaring makapigil doon sa mga drug trafficking activities,” he said, adding that it is the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) that is heading the all-out campaign against drug trafficking in the country.

(Well, we are open to proposals from some of our lawmakers to impose tighter restrictions on drug trafficking activities.)

However, he said they have yet to discuss proposals to impose death penalty on those found guilty of violating the country’s Dangerous Drugs Law.

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