Fight still on…

"Wag mong subukan, masisira ang buhay mo."

We Filipinos were so accustomed to this line by former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte when it came to the nation's fight against illegal drugs. Truly there is deep truth in this line not only for the victims of illegal drug abuse but also for their families and the people around them and their communities.

During the second State of the Nation Address of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., he stated that the government would be putting a "new face" on the nation's campaign against illegal drugs. This would be geared towards community-based treatment, meaning more on education, rehabilitation, and reintegration to curb drug dependence among the affected citizenry.

One of the hot topics now on the internet is the resolution of an opposition senator urging the Philippine government to cooperate with the International Criminal Court's investigation into the drug war. Memes on the internet are all over regarding the drug war, bringing back the issues of the past, even the non-issues, and the comments of the ordinary Juan and Juanas on the solution against illegal drugs.

President Marcos reiterated last week that the ICC has no jurisdiction in the country and that it cannot investigate the former president's drug war, insisting that the Philippines' judicial system is well-functioning and can handle the cases.

What happens next? That is for us to find out as the chapters of the book on the war against illegal drugs have yet to be written.

One of the good things that sprung out of the war against illegal drugs is the initiative of many government agencies to combat the drug problem within their respective jurisdictions.

Take for example the Department of the Interior and Local Government's  "Buhay Ingatan, Droga'y Ayawan"  program which focuses on the strategy of apprehending, rehabilitating and giving drug users a chance to change their lives.

At the seaports, which are the main gateways for trade since the Philippines is composed of more than 7,100 islands, the Philippine Ports Authority under the lead of PPA general manager Jay Santiago is now a drug-free workplace.

Standing firm in its fight against illegal drugs, the PPA ensures the strict implementation of protocols to guarantee drug-free operations at the ports. This month, the Port Management Office of Zamboanga del Norte conducted mandatory drug testing and a drug symposium for all its regular employees. Last November, PMO Lanao del Norte/ Iligan declared a drug-free workplace after a successful surprise drug test among its employees.

In 2020, PPA entered into a Memorandum of Agreement with the Philippine Coast Guard for the construction of a K9 Academy in Clark, Pampanga which would ensure a supply of sniffer dogs with narcotics and explosive detection capabilities at the ports.

Aside from conducting thorough baggage inspections at the ports, PPA is working closely with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to train its frontline workers, particularly the Port Police, to strengthen their capability to intercept illegal drugs at the ports.

Indeed, the Filipino people have progressed towards peace and development with a strong awareness of being at war against illegal drugs.

The war against illegal drugs is not just the government's fight but everyone's battle… because we are in the same boat.