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Friday, May 5, 2017
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MANILA – Congressmen are hammering out bills that will give more teeth to the Duterte administration’s antidrug campaign.
New provisions and revisions are needed to address the flaws of current antidrug laws, according to Rep. Robert Ace Barbers (Surigao del Norte), chairman of the dangerous drugs committee.
Several amendments were proposed to strengthen Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
House Bill No. 588, authored by Rep. Leopoldo Bataoil (Pangasinan), seeks to strengthen the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency by enhancing its facilities, increasing its manpower, and developing a systemic, wide-scope interagency partnership.
The committee also considers a revision that will fortify the antidrug agents’ capabilities in intelligence, investigation and operation to prevent the bungling of cases and ensure a high conviction rate among arrested suspected drug dealers, manufacturers, and coddlers.
House Bill Nos. 3406 and 3733, meanwhile, propose to exclude “suspected drug-related activities” from the scope of the Anti-Wiretapping Law.
Moreover, 31 bills seek the creation of drug rehabilitation centers nationwide, Barbers said.
“Rehabilitation is also fundamental,” he said. “Victims need to be rehabilitated if we are to win this war. Without proper rehab, they might go into relapse or resort to other forms of addiction.”
The congressman also finds “social integration” essential in the antidrug campaign.
“We must be ready to provide the less fortunate victims livelihood after rehabilitation,” he said. “Without means, they will surely go back to their old ways, stealing and [committing] other crimes.” (PNA)
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