The Inter-agency Committee on Anti-illegal Drugs (ICAD) held its first meeting in the presence of its newly designated co-chairperson, Vice President Leonor “Leni” Robredo, this afternoon, November 08, 2019. During the nearly-three-hour assembly, the veep called for unity in executing the government’s move against illegal drugs. “Sa pagkakaisa,” elucidated Vice President Robredo, “nand’yan naman yung mas madaling makamtan natin ‘yong ating minimithi na tagumpay sa ating kampanya laban sa droga” (With unity, we can achieve more easily our desired victory in our illegal drug campaign).
In the course of the conference, the vice president emphasized that she is united with the government with respect to the endeavor. She also pointed out her stern stance on the extrajudicial killing (EJK) issues under the state’s war on drugs where most of the slain suspects had, reportedly, retaliated. “Baka panahon na para pag-isipan natin ‘yong pagpalit ng isang kampanya na mas epektibo pero walang namamatay senselessly” (Now may be the right time to consider the changing of campaign that is more effective but no one dies senselessly), encouraged the veep. Moreover, she suggested an investigation on the other causes of addiction to the illicit substances.
In reference to designating her as ICAD co-leader by President Rodrigo Duterte, which she had accepted a couple of days before, she remarked that said appointment reflected the Chief Executive’s susceptibility to a novel idea relative to the implementation of anti-illegal-drug efforts. “With the President appointed me as co-chair . . . , I want to look at it as a signal that the President is open to listen to a fresh perspective about the entire campaign . . . ,” she commented.
Vice President Robredo’s next step is to convene the four clusters of the ICAD, the Law Enforcement, Justice, Advocacy, and Rehabilitation and Reintegration clusters. The same was backed by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency chief Aaron Aquino, saying that it would make the veep understand the government’s game plan in eradicating illicit drugs.
For the next ICAD meeting, Vice President Robredo wanted to know the figures on drug dependents and slain individuals in the course of drug operations.
