DAVAO CITY — Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Ramon Cualoping has challenged the country’s youth leaders to help the government in eradicating the illegal drugs problem.
“The government cannot do this alone. We need you, the hope of this beautiful land,” Cualoping said during a speech before the 12th National Youth Parliament at the Waterfront Hotel here on Sunday.
Cualoping urged youth leaders to incorporate in their proposed policies plans and legislation that would help address drug addiction.
He said the right path to ending the illegal drugs problem is to help the government build solutions and transform the “horrors of drug addiction” into success stories.
“As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child,” he said.
Cualoping, who spoke for the PCOO and the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs at the youth leaders’ gathering, lauded the activity as it serves the best platform to bring out the ideas and proposals, especially on illegal drugs — one of the major agenda of President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.
Cualoping reiterated that the administration’s fight against drug addiction aims to provide a safe and comfortable life for the Filipinos. He admitted the war against drugs has been challenging.
“There have been a lot of detractors, a lot of disinformation. A lot of misgivings from those who could not accept that this campaign is necessary and just,” he said citing the bloated numbers of alleged state-sanctioned extra-judicial killings
Cualoping said critics even continue to add or multiply numbers without basis to discredit the administration. He asked youth leaders not to believe in the accusations.
“There has been no state-sanctioned killings. Our enforcers have been transparent,” he said. He added that reporters and religious organizations are even invited to join police operations.
“The government has nothing to hide. What’s the point of engaging in a senseless bloodbath?” he stressed.
“We dismiss disinformation through #RealNumbers, and provide only the verified numbers regarding the government’s illegal drug-related operations through #realSolutions,” he added.
Despite continued criticisms, Cualoping said the government hopes to win the war against illegal drugs.
“The executive branch is committed to save and reform those who can’t do reformation by themselves,” he said.
He highlighted the government interventions, mechanisms, and programs, such as Rehabinasyon, to address the illegal drugs problem. All these he said aim to ensure a bright future for the children and the future generation. (Lilian C Mellejor/PNA)
