Interior secretary advocates new tactics against illegal drugs

By Joseph Bernard A. Marzan

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. acknowledged on Saturday, April 20, the need for new approaches in combating the spread of illegal substances.

Visiting Iloilo City to participate in the ‘Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan’ (BIDA) run, an advocacy event organized to promote awareness against illegal drugs, Abalos expressed that despite having systems in place and support from various levels of government, the fight against drugs requires further innovation.

Abalos refrained from specifying the shortcomings of the current strategy but mentioned a review of the plea bargaining framework and rehabilitation practices to prevent persons who use drugs (PWUDs) from returning to old habits.

The DILG is assessing the effectiveness of current methods, including law enforcement efforts, Abalos noted, emphasizing the Marcos administration’s commitment to avoid fatalities in anti-drug operations.

Plea-bargaining was originally prohibited under Section 23 of Republic Act No. 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002), but this provision was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in the 2017 case of Estipona Jr. vs. Lobrigo.

“The support is there. What is important is how you make sure that with all the support, what you make use of this to look at the gaps. We have a system in place but what is lacking? What do we still need to do? Are the systems effective or not? That is what we are doing,” Abalos said.

He said that the department will continue to follow the Ferdinand Marcos Jr. administration’s thrust of avoiding deaths from their anti-illegal substance campaign.

“It will be in accordance with our oath as public servants on the basis of our Constitution. It’s going grassroots, it’s knowing the problems, and making sure that all actions will be very, very effective,” he said.

The BIDA run, a 5-kilometer event in the city’s downtown area, drew approximately 8,500 participants from various sectors, including government, law enforcement, and the local community. This year’s run was conducted by the city government, marking a shift from previous runs managed by the DILG.

Abalos also acknowledged the private sector’s efforts in drug prevention, including counseling and testing, with the DILG’s support, and he extended gratitude to media and sports organizations for their involvement in BIDA activities.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas emphasized the importance of extensive testing and is considering an ordinance for regular screening of city employees, supplementing current randomized tests for contractual staff.

Asserting that anti-drug initiatives must begin at the community level, Treñas assured the secretary of the strong backing from village chiefs for local programs combating illegal substances.