Joe Alejandrino
There are in my view big hurdles in solving the drug problem in our country.
The first is the soft approach adopted by the government by PNP chief Azurin and BuCor chief Catapang. At the time, I had written that a soft approach towards criminality would demoralize law enforcers and rather than risk their life fighting drug lords they would take the easier way out which is to join them. Illegal drugs is a billion-peso business and the temptation is always there, witness the lucrative business being operated by even those imprisoned in Bilibid.
It is no secret that the illegal drug trade in SE Asia is controlled by Chinese drug lords tied to Mexican and Colombian cartels. Over a year ago, I had posted the names of the big ones supplied by the US Drug Enforcement Agency on my Fb wall. Today, based on the hearings conducted by Sen. Bato De la Rosa and Congressman Acop, both of whom should be congratulated for their sharp questions, we are seeing the depth of penetration by drug lords inside the PNP. It has penetrated at least three levels, from patrolmen at the first level to NCOs like Sgt. Mayo at the second level to police officers from captain to colonel rank at the third level. I myself believe it has reached even officers holding the rank of general. While I still believe most of the rank-and-file of the PNP are clean, the fact is a police cartel now exists inside, probably involving a few hundred in the illegal drug trade. As I had warned about a year ago, a soft approach won’t work. Today, illegal drugs are spreading throughout the country, based on multiple reports in the provinces.
Secondly, with the incidence of poverty increasing in our country confirmed by survey polls and not enough job openings, it should not surprise anyone that many of our youth are turning to shabu to kill their hunger pangs and becoming distributors to earn money. Thus the illegal drug network will continue to expand, from Chinese druglords to the PNP to Bilibid prisoners to street distributors. From several thousands at present, it can reach millions. The corruption that accompanies it will be so enormous it will embrace politicians and government officials in departments and agencies, the Philippines will for all purposes end up as a “failed State.”
Thirdly, there are stories circulating around of Liza and some members of the Romualdez family addicted to shabu. At one “wild party” held by the Romualdezes where a friend was invited, he said he and his companion left because it degenerated into a sex orgy with women being screwed on the dining table. I find it hard to believe such stories but if indeed shabu was present, one of its side effects is to turn one power-hungry. One no longer knows what one is doing. Nor would it be a surprise that little Aimee was the product of one Romualdez cousin screwing another cousin under the effect of an illegal drug. Only God knows the truth and one day the degenerates will have to account to the Lord for their immoral acts. When one is in a position of power, one must set the high moral standard required of him or her. (Joe Alejandrino)