Marcos: Anti-drug campaign focuses on rehabilitation

MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. stated that his administration is adopting a new approach when it comes to handling the rampant narcotics trade, stressing the need to focus on the treatment and rehabilitation of drug users.

“The war on drugs will continue but we have to do it in a different way,” Marcos said during an exclusive interview with TV host Toni Gonzaga aired on AllTV Channel on Tuesday.

The drug war, according to Marcos, was not discussed in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 25 because “it is an internal matter.”

He stated that a “working group” was already tasked with formulating a new policy to combat the prevalence of illegal drug trade in the country.

“They knew about the war on drugs. We are looking more in the upstream, upstream of the problem, the prevention,” Marcos said. “So, all of that. And those who are already involved o naadik na (or drug addict), we should treat them. We’re trying to… In fact, right now, we are trying to formulate how, what is the latest and what’s the best way for rehabilitation.”

In August, Press Secretary Trixie Cruz-Angeles stated that the Marcos administration will abide by the law while fighting illegal drugs.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. has been entrusted by Marcos to develop policies that would ensure that the anti-drug campaign complies with the law.

Earlier, Azurin ordered an audit of the drug situation in the country, focusing on areas where prominent drug personalities were killed.

In order to secure that the country’s drug supply chain would be “reduced, if not completely eliminated,” he also sought a partnership between the PNP and other government agencies.

Moreover, Azurin promised to work closely with village officials for the treatment and rehabilitation of drug users.

Death penalty nixed

Marcos described the proposal to reinstate the death penalty in order to prevent heinous crimes as “a tough one to get around.”

As Marcos previously rejected the planned revival of the death penalty, he raised the “practical” and “moral” issues surrounding the proposal.

“Death penalty is tough one because there is a practical issue and a moral issue involved. And the question is: Does society have the right to kill its own people?” he said.

“And as a practical matter, does the death penalty, actually, does it discourage people from committing heinous crimes? And I think the data, not only from the Philippines but from other countries, shows that we have to be very stringent about applying the law,” Marcos added.

Not rejoining ICC

Marcos also maintained his refusal to join the International Criminal Court (ICC), claiming that the Philippines’ justice system is functioning properly.

Marcos, when asked if there is a possibility for him to reconsider rejoining the ICC, said there is “no need” for the international court to control the Philippines.

“I don’t see any reason why we should. The ICC is supposed to take action if the country has no functioning judiciary,” he said. “That condition does not exist in the Philippines. So, I don’t see what role ICC is going to play here in the Philippines.”

Marcos also mentioned that the Philippines has “excellent lawyers.”

“The alleged crimes were committed in the Philippines. They were all committed by Filipinos. Why will we need a foreigner to tell us how to deal with it?,” he said.