SURIGAO del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers today lauded the manner by which the administration of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is addressing the problem of illegal drugs.
“It’s a bloodless war. It shows that we can slay the dragon that is the drug menace without lives’ lost,” the chairman of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs, said.
Barbers said President Marcos’ approach is an effective strategy that has gained the trust and support of our people against this menace and more relatives of dependents share vital information to our law enforcers that resulted to successful apprehension and rehabilitation of drug users and arrest of drug lords as well as seizure of illegal drugs from the streets.
“Violence if it can be avoided by our law enforcers in the pursuit of suspects can result to less anger, resentment, desire for vengeance from our people and will likewise negate attention and condemnation from international watchdog groups,” he said.
Barbers urged law enforcement agencies to continue doing their job, keeping in mind that the administration’s campaign against illegal drugs has to remain on a peaceful, non-violent path.
During his committee’s October 9 hearing on recent shabu seizures, the Mindanao lawmaker congratulated the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group, and Bureau of Customs for these confiscations.
The Mindanao lawmaker asked local government officials and barangay officers to be vigilant against the spread and use of illicit substances.
“It is important that they participate actively in President BBM’s anti-drug war. They, together with officials of airports, seaports and free port zones, are our first line of defense in this campaign,” he said.