MANILA – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and Philippine National Police (PNP)
vowed full support for Vice President Leni Robredo as she accepted her designation as co-chairperson of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs.
“We are willing to cooperate with the Vice President,” said PNP spokesperson Bernard Banac. “As a collegial body, we expect to have a smooth cooperation between and among agencies.”
“There may be different opinions, but with the Office of the Vice President coming in as part of the body, we will have a common stance,” he added. “We will have a whole government approach.”
PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino, who currently heads the committee, said he believed that Robredo can “well contribute” to the campaign particularly in the rehabilitation of drug users who were arrested or surrendered.
“She is a good leader on this matter particularly in rehabilitation matter. Rehabilitation is not properly managed. We have a lot of Bahay Pagasa that are not being used I just hope there would be better approach,” he said.
The Malacañang also welcomed Robredo’s decision to accept to lead the country’s fight against illegal drugs.
Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a television interview that Robredo’s acceptance is a good step forward to those who want to help the administration in its war on drugs.
“It’s always a good step forward for any public official who wants to help this country,” Panelo said in an interview with CNN Philippines. “The fact that she was appointed by the President, it means we are ready for her.”
“I think the next step is for her to go to the Palace and talk to the President so she would know exactly the parameters of her power as the drug czar,” Panelo said. “This is her moment and I said destiny awaits her and history beckons her.”/PN
