Philippines: Two former anti-drugs chiefs charged

Manila: Criminal charges were filed recently by the Department of Justice against two former chiefs of the country’s anti-drugs arm in connection with the sale of chemicals used to manufacture illegal substances by their subordinates.

The justice department, through the National Bureau of Investigation, filed separate cases against former Philippine Drugs Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chiefs Dionisio Santiago and Jose Gutierrez in connection with the sale of chemicals that were seized by their men during anti-carcotics operations, a report by Manila Standards Today said.

Santiago and Gutierrez had served as PDEA chiefs during the administration of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and under the current leadership of President Benigno Aquino.

Using a relative at the PDEA as a front, Santiago had been accused of illegally selling 160 barrels of hydrochloric acid to a private corporation. Hydrochloric acid is a common industrial chemical, however, the same substance is also used in the manufacture of methamphetamine hydrochloride.

Methamphetamine hydrochloride is crystal. In powder form, it is known as “shabu” or crack, a highly-addictive synthetic substance regarded as the poor man’s cocaine.

In the case of Gutierrez, the charges were based on the testimony of PDEA’s deputy-director for administration, Rene Orbe, accused the official of failing to act on the anomalies despite his knowledge, when he was chief of PDEA.

According to police data, at least 75 per cent of crimes reported committed in the country were linked to drug use and the current administration of President Benigno Aquino III has taken fresh interest in the drive against use of illegal substances.

Several high profile crimes, the most recent of which was the killing of a recent college graduate, Cyrish Maglalang by two drug-crazed brothers in Cavite province south of Manila, had been blamed on use of illegal substances by perpetrators.

PDEA Director General Undersecretary Arturo G Cacdac Jr. said the PDEA is trying to redeem itself after suffering setbacks in the drive against drug.

“PDEA is concentrating its operations against drugs manufacturers and big time distributors as well as cross border drug trafficking,” he said in an interview aired Friday by radio station dzBB.

Cacdac said PDEA is forging partnerships with other agencies in the fight against illegal drugs.

He said the PDEA strengthened, more organized, and systematic airport interdiction operations with agencies such as the Bureau of Customs and Philippine Ports Authority.

“The successful arrests of drug couriers who attempted to transport illegal drugs into the Philippines through the country’s premier airport speak volumes about the robust climate of cooperation already existing between PDEA, the Customs and the Ports Authority.”

According to authorities the number of drugs dependents in the country had significantly dropped from six million in 2008 to the current 1.7 million.

The Philippines has a population of 85 million.