What’s Wrong with the PNP?



THE United Nations Development Program has come up with a first-of-a-kind study on the Philippine National Police (PNP)—what ails the organization, what prevents it from performing basic functions, and what can be done about its problems.
We are highlighting two issues that the voluminous study tackled and which have a direct impact on the country’s peace and order situation: the relationship between the PNP leadership and local police officers and the authority being exercised by local government units (LGUs) over the internal operations of the police. The UNDP report has been distributed to the key command and staff offices of the PNP for their own comments. Below are excerpts from the study that are related to these issues:

A. Local police officers believe that local police units rank very low in the priorities of the PNP leadership.

· What was striking in the interviews with police officers at the police station level was their perception that the local police units are not a priority area of concern to the PNP leadership; hence, they are at the bottom of the pecking order in terms of training and resources.

· Local police officers believe that the PNP leadership focuses and concentrates resources on the various specialized task forces created at the height of a particular peace and order issue generating media attention: kidnap-for-ransom cases, anti-terrorism, transnational crimes, gambling, organized crime, illegal drugs campaign, and the like.

B. There is resentment for special task forces created and based in the national/central office.

· Stories reveal resentment for these task forces that—to the local police officer—appear to have easy access to operational funds, resources, and equipment, while ordinary policemen have to rely on their own resourcefulness to procure basic supplies. An example of the perceived disparity is an incident with a Quezon City police officer, who narrated how local police officers are not supplied with bullets for their service firearm. According to him, when they are issued their service firearm, they are given two magazines with 26 bullets. The bullets are never replenished; hence, when a police officer uses his firearm in operations, he has to use personal funds to purchase bullets, at the cost of P15 for every 9-mm bullet.

· Task forces such as the National Anti-Crime Task Force have unlimited resources, including ammunition. The advantage of having classmates and colleagues in these task forces, according to one officer, is that they can spare you surplus supplies such as bullets.

· Because the members of the task forces are based in the central offices, and coordinate directly with the PNP leadership, spot promotions come easily to them.

· Even basic administrative supplies are lacking, with no available budget for necessities such as bond paper for reports. Local units rely on the generosity of business establishments in the area to either donate basic supplies, or sell them at discounted prices.

C. There is resentment over the issue of spot promotions.

· The perception that local police unit operations are undervalued was particularly evident in the resentment over spot promotions. While task force members could easily obtain spot promotions, successful operations by local officers would go unrewarded, or worse, others more politically savvy in the central or regional offices would reap the benefits of these operations.

D. There is unwillingness to perform certain basic functions.

· Patrol functions are the backbone of police operations, and included among patrol functions are traffic services and effecting arrests. Local police officers have expressed an unwillingness to perform these basic functions, seeing them as an unnecessary nuisance.

· Police officers both in Metro Manila and regional offices commented that so much time was spent serving warrants of arrest, which, according to him, should just be served by court process servers. It is not necessary for the police to do this.

· According to personnel interviewed in Region IV-A, traffic management should no longer be a function of local police units, considering that traffic management us already performed by local executives.

· Unless policies are changed to accord deserved recognition and resources to the patrolman and local police officers and units, an improvement in the delivery of basic police services may not materialize.

The UNDP study likewise observed that the bigger challenges facing the PNP lie in the organization’s relationship with other agencies, specifically the local government units. It said that “the authority being exercised by local government units over the internal operations and decision-making of the PNP creates an environment extremely vulnerable to undue politicization of the police force, destroys command responsibility and administration management authority of the PNP.”

The study suggested that the relationship between the PNP and the local government units “should be one of partnership rather than one of superior-subordinate relationship.” As it is, the mayors and governors have the final say on who gets appointed to be police chiefs in their areas.

“Local government units should not interfere with the internal administration of the PNP, particularly in recruitment, promotion, appointment and discipline, in the allocation and utilization of financial resources, in the day-to-day police operations, and in the transactional decision-making process of the PNP within their locality,” the study said.

The study called on other agencies as well, such as the Bureau of Internal Revenue, the Bureau of Customs, the Land Transportation Office, and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, which currently perform policing functions, should “focus their functions on investigative monitoring and relegate functions of case cased intelligence, investigation, and apprehension” to the PNP and the National Bureau of Investigation


http://partners.inq7.net/newsbreak/istorie...?story_id=39398

This has been the problem of the police since time immemorial.

The supply pipeline from the central command is clogged with corruption, that what will reach down the line is only little droplets.

Lets take the example of the ammo budget. Every years budget appropriated is 18 rounds a year (for sidearm only) per personnel. But what happens is mostly of the personel from regions outside the capital cannot even avail 6 rds in two years. This has been my experience years back while still serving the outfit.

The ordinary policemen resorted to buying their own ammo, sometimes to the extent of bribing property custodians/armorers just to get it.

This is indeed demoralizing.

TOPP, at an average, how many bullets are spent by a local cop in a given year?

What if the cop just ask, whoever gives him ammo, for replenishment when he is already or about to run out of ammo?

Sayang naman baka naman di nya pinuputok yung baril nya kasi sa office lang sya or sa traffic. Eh yung nasa Task Forces gaya ng NAKTAF or PDEA ay lagi sa matinding laban.

This is really DAMAGING. :nono:

The cops immediate superior must not deprive his men what is due to them. The provincial commander can help a lot in ending this resentment by emphasizing the benefit of fostering honesty, uprightness and good leadership among his men.

What can you suggest, TOPP?

:exactly: The cops are wasting their time directing traffic. They should instead chase or hunt down robbers and snatchers.

The cops should only be called in when there is an accident.

:agree: This is one of the reasons why when govt local officials are involved in a crime, the local cops .... CAN DO NOTHING.

DONT Give the local officials the power and privilege to COERCE and MANIPULATE the local cops ..IF YOU WANT TO DEFEAT CRIME. :nono:

Number ammo rounds a cop use depends on the nature of his assignment. There are cops in the office that has'nt fire their gun for years.

But, the ammos should be recalled every couple of years and change it with fresh ones for accuracy and safety of the cops. The PNP should maintain their own reloading scheme to avoid unnecessary wastage of resources like the expired ammo. We have done this before with the NAPOLCOM.

As to cops performing traffic duties, this is a must as it is a universal task of cops performing these duties because it usually deals with traffic offenders where some situations needs an on the spot or immediate arrest that cannot be executed by civilians.

And also you cannot expect civilian traffic enforcers to be well-suited to a job that needs competence training in traffic duties in relation to law enforcement not to mention the full authority to carry out arrests and seizures.

Medyo light side naman.

PNP Shooters tops recently held ASEANPOL shooting competition.
:patrioticpinoy:

So the current setup of fielding one cop to work with a group of MMDA guys, who are doing much of the traffic management, is still the best setup?

But arent some cops saying that they should not be doing this job anymore?

Traffic management should no longer be a function of local police units?

Did the cops who were interviewed here not know the importance of their functions to traffic management well enough that's why they said that to the "study group"?

Do you know that in other countries anything that involves public safety it's part of their job?

Like here, many diggings are happening that are hazards to public safety, does the PNP checks on this if they have the permit to dig? Traffic accidents, you could see some of our PNP will just passed by, sometimes with blinkers and sirens on.

A fellow employee of ours observed one incident in Germany where two cars bumped each other. When the investigation was finished, the cops open up their compartment and brought out brooms and dustpans to sweep the broken glasses on the street. Dito, it would lessen the macho image of our cops.

What I would like to see is the PNP to have their respect back. In KSA, the police is much more respected than the military (maybe that was before the gulf war). They are much considered higher during peace time. That set-up should be put back here. Too many law enforcers from different branches and agencies sometimes spoils the broth.

I too would suggest that the PNP should take that seriously.

Just check our roads. There are even manholes that are left uncovered for weeks. Usually the case is that some idiots stole the lids and sold these to the junk shops.

PNP should always focus on the safety of the public and that includes the motorists and the pedestrians.

Anything that can cause accident or harm should be removed or taken cared of immediately.

Isn't it that the Police Academy was later on named as "Philippine Public SAFETY College"?

I wonder if they named it that way for just nothing at all? :dunno:

If I could remember right, that is No. 5 of the 20 Police duties taking notes on busted street lights, leaking pipes, unprotected manholes, diggings on roadworks, and other stuff that involves public safety, and wastage of resources. (like water & power)

So it's there but not being implemented.

Then you will hear them say they will not lift a finger unless someone files a complaint kahit nakikita na nila.

Well this kind of attitude should really go.

Probably that was right they did'nt know that Traffic cops are the mirror of the organization because of their full visibility in the public's eye. Traffic Management is under public safety where police authority is much needed in the enforcement of it's laws.

US helps RP assess
weaknesses of national police
By Agence France-Presse



THE PHILIPPINES and its main security ally, the United States, launched a three-week long assessment of the weaknesses of the poorly regarded Philippine National Police force, the US embassy said Tuesday.

The study is being undertaken to "identify key institutional weaknesses and to formulate a blueprint on how to resolve them," the embassy said in a statement.

US specialists in anti-narcotics, counterterrorism, immigration, and customs enforcement would take part in the program, the embassy said.

Senior officials from the Philippines' 115,000-strong police force would represent Manila in the assessment, said police spokesperson Senior Superintendent Leopoldo Bataoil.

National police chief Arturo Lomibao said the program would cover the reputation of corruption and abuse that has long saddled the Philippine police.

As part of the assessment of the police force's organization, operations and training, the delegation would visit several key provinces including the southern Basilan island, a stronghold of the Abu Sayyaf, a Muslim kidnapping group linked to Al-Qaeda, the US embassy said.

The assessment would help to improve the police force in fighting such transnational threats as terrorism, narcotics trafficking and people smuggling, it said.

The Philippines is one of the United States' staunchest allies in Asia in its "war on terrorism" but the Philippine National Police has suffered serious embarrassments in capturing and holding onto militants.

In July 2003, Indonesian bomb expert Fathur Rohman Al-Ghozi, a senior leader of the Jemaah Islamiyah extremist network escaped from a cell in the national police headquarters in Manila. He was later killed at a police checkpoint.

Corruption starts within the organizational and operational chambers of the PNP.

Firstly, The placement of personnel in positions or assignments not in accordance with their skill and know-how. Some personnel who have the right qualification for the right position is bypassed and neglected because they have no influence or have to bribe superior officers to get the right position or assignment for them. Example- one who has a college background of law & criminology is doing a traffic & patrol assignment, while one who even lacks college background is assigned with the investigation division that sometimes deal with high profile cases. What quality of efficiency can one expect in these situations ?

Secondly, Unit commanders are reluctant to play tough supervision on subordinates considered to be their pets, and sometimes to the extent of covering up their misdeeds
which is an implied act of tolerance. How can anybody expect to curb out corruption starting from below or above ? and,

Thirdly, Officers with high caliber of integrity and honesty are seldom given the chance to manage sensitive branches or divisions of the outfit for fear of corruption being exposed. How can anyone expects a better and effective management if wrong oficers are in the wrong positions ?

Thousands flunk cop exam
By Michael Punongbayan
The Philippine Star 06/25/2005

Nobody ever said getting a police badge would be easy.

Of the 36,722 examinees who took the National Police Commission (Napolcom) entrance and promotional examinations last April 24, only 9,974, or 27.16 percent, passed based on results released yesterday.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Angelo Reyes, who is also chairman of Napolcom, said this was the second lowest police examination result posted since the implementation of the Philippine National Police Reform and Reorganization Act.

In the entrance tests, a requirement for initial appointment to the rank of Police Officer 1 (PO1), only 2,628 (14.56 percent) out of 18,044 examinees received passing marks.

On the other hand, 18,678 examinees who took the promotional test, which is needed to be elevated to the next rank, only 7,346 (39.33 percent) passed.

Napolcom said 4,217 passed the Police Officer exam; 2,964 passed the Senior Police Office exam; 134 passed the Inspector exam; and only 31 passed the Superintendent exam.

Despite the poor passing percentage, Reyes still looked at the bright side, saying it was actually a good indication of the better recruitment and promotion system in the PNP.

"The relatively low passing rate in both exams may be attributed to the Commission’s continuous upgrading of standards in its police examinations in line with its sustained effort to professionalize the PNP," he said.

The passing percentage rate in the entrance test is the second lowest recorded by the Commission since the implementation of Republic Act 8551, or the PNP Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998.

The lowest passing percentage was 10.69 percent, posted in November 1999.

Napolcom vice chairperson and executive officer Imelda Roces said the list of successful examinees has been posted at the Napolcom central office in Makati City and can also be accessed on the Napolcom website.

Roces said individual results and ratings will soon be officially sent to examinees through registered mail.

Verification of test results, she noted, will be entertained by the Napolcom central office and its regional offices nationwide starting July 1.

Roces said the low passing percentage showed that many of the applicants were unqualified.

She stressed, however, that this also means that the exam was indeed tough and would not allow just anyone to enter the police organization or get promoted.

"This goes to show that we are serious in professionalizing our PNP. The test is tough and those who are not worthy or are not yet worthy cannot join the PNP," she said.

Roces said those who failed may opt for a retake in October. She noted, however, that the exams are always upgraded and remade to conform with the new laws and new applications.

But there are still some cases where a non-passer gets pulled through by a high ranking backer. :headbang:

The appointment is illegal if those who passed were bypassed.

It makes the appointment administratively illegal because the general rule and procedures on appointment will give priority to eligibles before non-eligible will be accomodated to include promotions.

If there is a forcible promotion, they must seek a waiver first from the eligible to the effect that the latter is not interested of the position offered.

If these irregularities exists, then it needs to be investigated

New standards for police recruits

Applicants to the Philippine National Police will have to pass higher standards before they are accepted.

The National Police Commission, in memorandum circular No. 2005-002, changed the recruitment process for new applicants.

Imelda Roces, NAPOLCOM executive officer, said the commission "needs to revise the old standard procedures in police recruitment to address certain problems." She did not elaborate.

Under the new system, applicants for police officer 1 must pass the scrutiny of an ad hoc body to be created by the city or municipal mayor where the applicant resides.

The committee shall be composed of the city or municipal mayor who will act as chair; and the vice mayor, city/municipal local government operations officer, the chief of police and a member of the peace and order council. Jefferson Antiporda

Another venue for corruption.

Is there anything better that this that they can think of?

It could be still acceptable if the final screening still rests with the NAPOLCOM to filter out the ones indorsed by the local politicians.

There's nothing wrong with a political endorsee as long as he or she meets all the necessary criteria for the appointment usually approved by the PNP Chief, and finally concurred by the NAPOLCOM.

But that will be too much red tape.

What if an psycho maniac and an abusive thug happens to be Mayor Binay's nephew, for example, ... will Napolcom reject him?

If you let politics get into the recruitment process for the new cops, i believe it will only degrade the police org further.

Better yet, why not conduct a "background investigation" by asking the candidate's neighbors?

The PNP LRU (Light Reaction Unit), history, qualifications and trainings.

http://www.pnp.gov.ph/index.html (under specialized units)

With so many blunders being committed in addressing some situations, is it the concept or the members at fault?

Well, all police matters are presumed to be out of the political fence, but you cannot avoid these because PNP & NAPOLCOM has been created by politicians and the system considered it as a part of the political structure, thus, allowing local politicians having part in it's affairs and even now they are already a part in the selection or recruitment
process.

This was the part of the Police that I was always denouncing in my previous posts but it seems to be a waste of time and it cannot change the way how the system is dealing with it.

If all the criterias of police recruitment and promotion is not interferred with by politics, then we have a very successful police organization, and it could be one of the world's finest.

See?

What more if you compel the recruits to seek the blessing of the local mayors first? :bs:

As I see it, the local mayors are trying to control the local police force so that the police force will not dare check on the mayor's illegal activities.

Jueteng and other crimes that the mayor has involvement can be easily be protected since he controls the local cops.

Mayors trying to transfer the control of the local police units from the PNP to their own authority?

FOR WHAT? Get a better setup for them to allow them to do more crimes?

Even how we strive to achieve exhaustive remedies if politicians are amongst us, then it is fruitless and will only turn you nuts if you keep on thinking and watching how and why it was done that way.

But limiting the chances where they can advance their influence is one effective way of containing their abuse.

The only way to do this is to reverse the platform by turning yourself into a politician so that you can introduce amendments to nudge a halt on the advancement that does'nt cater any good purpose except enhancing abuse.

This might be possible but you are turning yourself to be one of them.

I believe that not all politicians are corrupt.

It's just about telling those who arent corrupt yet or those who arent too corrupt to change what needs to be changed to really serve their constituents.

Hey! These leaders know that they must appease their people also. Else, the next three years right after their term will be given to other prospects.

But once in and they go along the way, they become TRAPOS!

Because the law makes them so.

So why not fix the law to make them work not as a trapo or a corrupt one?

In the game of politics a wrong can be right in a matter of minutes, promises and assurances can be as easy as daydreaming, and most of all, it is the mother of all evil and corruption.

Politicians are politicians.

As the saying goes...." Even you dress a monkey with a priest's robe he still remains a monkey ".

When an honest person enters politics, and make himself successful, then he is anointed with the evil essence of politics until he will become a full grown one and the one who will promise to build a bridge without a river.

"Politicians are politicians."

Then why is South Korea, Taiwan and China prosperous?

These had corrupt leaders too. :exactly:

They are corrupt but much more nationalistic than most crab mentally retarded Pinoy Politicians. :drunk:

:agree: But it could have been many times fold prosperous if there was no corruption.

The corruption is not as chronic as the Philippines, that no amount of preventive doses of medicine (if it was an illness) can get it cured.

That's obvious.

So what do we do?

Kill all politicians or run the country without the politicians?

Maybe a military junta?

Parricide suspect Ecleo takes DNA test; NBI says it has no record of Alona in files


By MARS W. MOSQUEDA JR.

CEBU CITY — Parricide suspect and cult leader Ruben Ecleo Jr. was subjected to a DNA test Thursday afternoon.

The prosecution team said the DNA test will help determine the identity of the dead woman found in a ravine in Dalaguete town, believed to be that of Ecleo’s wife.

The scheduled DNA sampling of Ecleo’s son by Alona, 12-year-old Ludwig Van, was set yesterday afternoon after defense lawyers questioned its necessity.

Ecleo underwent a 10-minute DNA sampling by Dr. Idabelle Pagulayan of the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) forensic chemistry section. The Supreme Court had earlier ruled that DNA testing is acceptable in court proceedings and is relevant in criminal cases.

Ecleo, former mayor of San Jose, Dinagat, Surigao del Norte and head of the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association (PBMA), is charged with parricide for allegedly killing his wife Alona Bacolod-Ecleo on Jan. 5, 2002 in their house in Banawa, Cebu City.

The prosecution said Ecleo and his driver, Juryven Padero, stuffed Alona’s body in a bag and dumped it in Dalaguete, Cebu. Padero was shot dead on the night when Ecleo was arrested.

A body, which the prosecution said was that of Alona, was found three days after Ecleo allegedly killed his wife. But the defense refused to admit that the body found in Dalaguete, Cebu was that of Alona.

This compelled the prosecution to ask for a DNA examination of the cadaver, as well as DNA samples from Ecleo, his son and Alona’s siblings.

In last Thursday’s hearing, NBI forensic expert Pagulayan told the court that the specimens taken from the body believed to be that of Alona and her surviving siblings were not enough for the examination.

She said it is best if they wait for the DNA samples from Ecleo and his son, before making any conclusions.

She promised to furnish the court with the initial results of the DNA samples taken from Alona’s corpse, but asked the judge not to reveal her findings yet.

Meanwhile, the NBI told the court that it has no record of Alona in its files.

NBI Manila Records Officer Ofelia Montano brought to court certifications stating that Alona had neither an NBI clearance in the bureau’s master index nor a fingerprint record.

Montano said that Alona might have not applied for an NBI clearance when she was alive. Private Prosecutor Kit Enriquez said he was surprised by the NBI certification, adding this came after the Department of Foreign Affairs showed records that Alona left the country in 1996.

"Something unusual, why it’s lost. It seems there was a magic," Enriquez said.
----
Records lost? :bs:

These countries has problems with corruption too but the thing is their politicians at least give something in return to the country that will benefit its people, im not saying that corruption is good. In the Philippines it is different the only people that gets the benefits are the politicians and their families and some choosen few.

Vice raid fatal to old man

First posted 11:30pm (Mla time) July 29, 2005
By Edson Tandoc Jr.
Inquirer News Service

THEY barged into a community, supposedly to enforce the law against illegal gambling. But the commotion they caused proved fatal to an old man.

Now, the family of German Macalanda, 73, is blaming the Mandaluyong City Hall Anti-Vice Unit for his death from a heart attack the other night. Police said operatives arrived at Barangay Vergara at 8:30 p.m. Thursday after receiving information there was an illegal horse racing bookies joint in the area.

According to the grieving family’s version, as quoted by barangay officials, the operatives arrived in the area looking for Noel Dizon, 42, a son-in-law of the victim. But Dizon reportedly resisted arrest. A commotion then ensued. During the confrontation, Dizon’s 14-year-old son told operatives to spare his father and his grandfather who was sick.

Macalanda tried to pacify his grandson, who had threatened to hit the operatives with a shovel. One of the operatives allegedly poked a gun at the boy, witnesses said. Macalanda then started to feel chest pains at the height of the confrontation. He died before reaching the hospital.

But in their report to Mayor Neptali Gonzales, the operatives claimed they had come from another operation and had chanced upon people collecting bets for the illegal game who fled the scene upon their arrival. During the commotion, Macalanda suffered a heart attack, the report said. Gonzales said he has already ordered an investigation of the incident.
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Whose fault was it?

It was not the fault of the police officers whatsoever. The cause of death was a heart attack not inflicted by them.

If they were executing their police duties in line with the textbook precision and guidelines where no legal questions can be raised about their presence in that given place, then the death of the old man can only be attributed to bad luck, and has nothing to do with them.

Drug problem shocks lawmen into action
* 51 clandestine drug labs and warehouses found * P40 billion in illegal drugs, chemicals seized * 1.8 million Filipinos found to be addicted to drugs * Another 1.6 million are said to be occasional users * 180 foreign nationals arrested for drug trafficking * 407 local drug groups, 19 int’l gangs neutralized

The discovery of 51 clandestine drug laboratories and warehouses and the seizure of some P40 billion worth of illegal drugs and precursors have sent shock waves through the various law enforcement agencies in the country.

Even more shocking was the revelation by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the government agency charged with the tough task of containing the nationwide menace, that some 3.4 million Filipinos are hooked on drugs.

Undersecretary Anselmo S. Avenido Jr., PDEA director-general, revealed that the war against illegal drug is fraught with danger as drug lords employ every dirty trick to outsmart law enforcement agencies chasing them in a cloak-and-dagger pursuit operation worldwide without let-up.

From July 30, 2002 to June 30, 2005, the PDEA and other law enforcement units seized R39.86 billion of illegal drugs, precursors and essential chemicals, and laboratory equipment, according to Avenido.

Some 1.8 million Filipinos are addicted to drugs and another 1.6 million are occasional users, the PDEA head said in his report.

Avenido said that during the past three years, PDEA dismantled 30 secret drug laboratories and 21 chemical warehouses and arrested 76,455 persons. Of this number, PDEA has filed 51,213 drug cases in court.

As part of its incentive to lure the public to help the government in fighting the drug menace, PDEA rewarded P6.617 million to 58 informants of "Operation: Private Eye" that led to the arrest of 122 drug lords and the confiscation of P368.47 million of illegal drugs as of May 30 this year.

Avenido said that topping the list of seized illegal drugs during the three-year period was shabu with 7.7 million grams worth P15.4 billion, followed by marijuana and its derivatives, valued at P2.75 billion.

PDEA burned seized drugs worth P15.7 to ensure they would not fall into unscrupulous persons who would recycle and sell them in the lucrative market here and abroad.

Laboratory equipment worth P37.5 million were also destroyed, Avenido said.

The recent extradition of suspected top drug lord, Calvin Tan from Hong Kong where he fled has boosted the government’s all-out war against illegal drugs.

Senior Superintendent Ager P. Ontog, PDEA director for operations, said the Philippines has adopted the so-called "C-technique" to smash 30 clandestine laboratories and 21 chemical warehouses over the past three years.

The first C stands for chemists whom PDEA and the Philippine National Police sought and arrested during a series of operations.

Chemists are vital in the manufacture of "shabu" and other prohibited drugs as they are the ones mixing the proper ingredients.

The other "C" stands for chemicals such as the acquisition of acetone and hydrogen gas – the main ingredients for making shabu.

PDEA is closely monitoring people buying acetone and hydrogen gas in bulk.

A stumbling that is preventing PDEA operatives to dismantle the remaining clandestine drug laboratories in the country is the law prohibiting them from conducting electronic surveillance.

Ontog said it is only in the Philippines that anti-drug operatives are prohibited from using electronic surveillance against drug lords. Other nations are permitted by their governments, he said.

"In the Philippines, the involvement of foreign nationals in drug trafficking is very apparent in almost all the big-volume seizures by law enforcement authorities," Avenido said.

In 2002, Avenido said 37 foreigners were arrested for trafficking a total of 809.1 kilograms of shabu, the poor man’s drug. In 2003, a total of 72 foreign nationals were arrested for sneaking in 3,255.2 kilos of shabu, 3,322 kilos of ephedrine and other chemicals worth R8.88 billion.

Avenido said that last year, PDEA arrested 56 foreign nationals in possession of 717.56 kilos of illegal drugs worth P5 billion.

As of June 30 this year, 15 foreigners have been arrested carrying 4,262.86 grams of shabu.

PDEA has focused its attention in identifying and neutralizing both local and transnational drug groups operating in the Philippines.

"From July 30, 2002 to June 30, 2005, a total of 407 local drug groups and 19 transnational drug groups have been neutralized," Avenido said.

The battle against illegal drugs is still a long way to go as Avenido called on the people to help the government in eradicating the deadly menace. (PNA)

----
A very long way to go indeed. :dunno:

The war on drugs cannot be successful if the penalty is the same. Death penalty should be introduced as an amendment to the current one for the drug lords and stiffer penalty for the users and middlemen. Any law enforcer regardless of rank found to be protecting drug lords should suffer the same fate to face the death penalty.