Catapang: Around 80% of crimes in ASEAN involve illegal drug use

Puerto Princesa City — Bureau of Corrections Director General Gregorio Pio Catapang Jr. said 80 percent of crimes committed in member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are perpetrated by individuals under the influence of illegal drugs.

Catapang disclosed this on Monday, 17 February, saying the matter came up during the ASEAN Regional Correctional Conference (ARCC) held in Puerto Princesa City from 14 o 16 February.

Catapang said that during the seminar, they learned that all countries are similarly situated when it comes to the drug problem.

He added that during high-level meetings among corrections officials from ASEAN states, they learned that “70 to 80 percent of crimes committed were under the influence of drugs.”

During the ARCC, one country shared that it is currently implementing home imprisonment for those who committed minor offenses.

Catapang said that in other ASEAN countries, people committing small offenses are returned to their families. He explained that to avoid prison congestion, such individuals could be sent back to their families.

Catapang further explained that if a person is arrested for drug possession, they are taken to a drug rehabilitation center instead of being sent to prison.

In cases where the person has overcome addiction, they are returned to their family, with the family, community, and barangay overseeing their recovery.

Catapang also revealed plans to push for the use of the already existing Mega Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (MDATRC) located at the Army base of Fort Ramon Magsaysay in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija.

Catapang said that after the conclusion of the ARCC, BuCor will submit a report and recommendations to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The next ARCC is set to be held in Thailand in 2026. Catapang also said that this year’s ARCC participants agreed to hold the ARCC every two years after 2026.