Robredo wants humane tact in drug war

Vice President Leni Robredo is batting for a humane way of dealing with drug traffickers and users. #drugwar #LeniRobredo

Vice President Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo presides over the first meeting of member-agencies of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs at the Office of the Vice President in New Manila, Quezon City on Friday, 8 November 2019. Beside Robredo is ICAD co-chair, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director General and ICAD chair Aaron Aquino. (PNA)

Vice President Leni Robredo on Friday called for a shift in strategy in carrying out the government’s campaign against narcotics as she sat in her first meeting as co-chairperson of the Inter-agency Committee Against Illegal Drugs (ICAD).

In her opening remarks, Robredo called on the committee to explore other avenues to address the problem and stop what she described the senseless killings, particularly of the poor, in the Duterte administration’s war on illegal drugs.

“Because of the many senseless killings that accompanied police operations, it has reached a certain level of notoriety that when you say tokhang, it is a war against the poor,” Robredo, who accepted the post two days ago, said.

“It is incumbent upon us public officials to remove that notion, that maybe it’s time to change our approach to have a more effective campaign where no one has to die,” she added.

Robredo went further by saying that while she is for having a national policy against illegal drugs, she is batting for a humane way of dealing with the issue as it is “not just a criminal issue” but also sociological.

“I want to take this opportunity to contribute in whatever way I can. I look at my appointment here as a signal that the President is open to listening to a fresh perspective,” she stated.

Robredo called for the ICAD meeting attended by heads of different agencies including Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director General Aaron Aquino, Dangerous Drugs Board head Catalino Cuy, Department of Interior and Local Government Sec. Eduardo Año, and Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez.

It was on 31 October when President Rodrigo Duterte named Robredo to ICAD following her criticisms over his anti-narcotics which resulted in the deaths of thousands of drug suspects.

Robredo’s letter of appointment was released by Malacañang last 5 November.