Republic of the Philippines

Department of the Interior and Local Government

PHILIPPINE PUBLIC SAFETY COLLEGE
NATIONAL POLICE COLLEGE
Camp General Mariano N. Castañeda, Silang, Cavite

PHILIPPINE DRUG WAR

In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for Philippine Drug War,

Public Safety Officers Advance Course 2019 - 01

Submitted by:
NOEL TAPITAN GUMARU
Police Senior Inspector

Submitted to:
JOSEPH M GONZALES
Police Chief Inspector
PSINSP NOEL TAPITAN GUMARU March 15, 2019
PSOAC CL. 2019-01

1. Why is that the illegal drugs trade are still rampant despite the relentless
campaign of our government in the war against drugs?

Answer: Corruption among Government Official and Employees.

WORD COUNT (416)

There is so many reasons why illegal drugs trade in the Philippines is still
rampant despite the relentless campaign of our government in the war against illegal
drugs. One main reason is the “drug-corruption” among government officials and
employees.
Studies shows that illicit shabu industry has been found to be “a massive
source of corruption that undermines public institutions”. Drug corruption was
rampant in the Philippines specially during the height of the recent administration. In
the Philippine settings drug lords with dealing with officials, Druglords implemented
an approach called drug protection bribe (blood money) in which government
representatives had a choice between protecting the drug syndicate and accepting
an a vast amount of money.
High corruption levels severely restrict the efficiency of the war on drugs in the
Philippines. Extensive bribery within the public administration and vague and
complex laws make the public institutions vulnerable to extortion and manipulation
by drug lords/syndicate. Undue influence are widespread in the courts, leading to
time-consuming and unfair dispute resolution, and to an uncertain environment.
Corruption plagues the community, and fraud routinely occurs .
Because of these connection of drug syndicate starting from the judiciary who
protect them from being convicted, politician holding a higher down to the lowest
position in the government who allow them to operate within their respective areas of
jurisdiction in order to earn easy money to support their candidacy in every election,
high ranking official in the AFP and PNP and other law enforcement agencies who
served as protector for not being arrested and sometimes even their members are
involved in illegal drug activities.
Furthermore, because of millions of Filipinos all over the country are hook on
drugs, hence, the demand of illegal drugs becomes higher. Also the manufacturer of
illegal drugs will make additional supply to support the demand of drug addicts.
 The main reason why illegal drug trade in the country are still rampant despite
relentless campaign of the government because of corruption, poverty, most of
needy people are easily tempt to engage in illegal drug activities to support their
daily needs, territorial securities, Philippines is surrounded by shorelines wherein
drug syndicate can easily transport their illegal drugs using seaports and airport as
well.
To wrap it up the Philippine government should primarily first address this
concern on the corruption in the system and this is but a few reasons why illegal
drugs trade in the Philippines is still rampant despite the relentless campaign of our
government in the war against illegal drugs.

2. How can we strategically and effectively address this drugs problem in the
country?

Answer: Investing in both drug supply and drug demand reduction programs.
WORD COUNT: (429)

I believe that war against illegal drugs can be win if and only if we put our
hearts in solving this menace. As Police Officer, we should start within ourselves, we
are the enforcers of the laws and we must refrain from adhering and subjecting
ourselves to this problem. It’s good that internal cleansing of the PNP were again
reiterated and strictly implemented. If we cleanse the ranks, we can face everyone
and together with the community through various community relations activities; we
can win the war. Implementation of the Whole of the Nation Approach wherein from
the highest authority down to the lowest unit, the continuous supervision and
evaluation of drug affectation in every barangays will be implemented. Subsequently,
continues the Oplan Tokhang and ease the doubts of the community that this activity
will put their life to danger. Oplan Tokhang is a good program, through this activity
we were able to generate drug surrenderers who voluntarily subjected themselves to
rehabilitation. As law enforcer, we should understand the reason why these people
use illegal drugs so we can determine our courses of actions.
Coordination with other Offices and units will also help win the war against illegal
drugs. For example, most of the drug users and pushers came from a poor family, no
job, no source of income, if we were able to coordinate with government agencies
that can help them provide jobs and livelihood, somehow these personalities will stop
doing illegal activities. We should not rely on statistics only, we should go deep
down. Anti-illegal drugs operation must be done according to what is right, so we can
have many conviction of drug personalities specially those high profile drug
personalities.
Various community activities must be sustained and there should be a team who
will focus on overseeing the potential drug personalities in the area. Through this
activities we can increase the awareness of the community to the ill effect of illegal
drugs to their health, siblings, family and the community they live. It should be instil
in our minds that there is not positive effect that this drugs can bring to us instead
addiction can ruin everyone. Society can also prevent illegal drugs through
education. Various sectors in the government should work hand in hand to prevent
this occurrence.
With these action sated above, investing in both drug supply and drug
demand reduction programs within drug mules/airports will surely pay dividends for
the years to come. It will shape the future of the next generation of Filipinos and will
dramatically transform the landscape of the Philippine security.