PDEA chief vows Mexico-style war against drug syndicates

(Updated 10 p.m.) MANILA, Philippines - Outraged over the reported abduction and rape of an anti-drug operative’s daughter, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) vowed Monday a fierce “Mexican Drug War" against drug syndicates. At Malacañang, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has ordered full protection to the family of the government agent and a thorough investigation on the incident. PDEA chief Dionisio Santiago said in a radio interview that he is not afraid to raise the stakes in the fight against illegal drugs, now that drug rings have seemingly drawn “first blood." “Parang magiging Mexico tayo niyan, bakbakan tayo, unahan ng ubusan. Nang pumasok kami sa trabahong ito pati pamilya namin sinusugal namin. Hindi kami papayag. Ang buhay iisa lang. ‘Di namin papayagang unahan kami ng mga gago," Santiago said in an interview on dzXL radio. [If this is going to be like Mexico, so be it. We’ll fight them to the finish. When we got into this line of work, we knew we were also risking the lives of our families. We won’t allow those scoundrels to beat us.] The Mexican Drug War involves a conflict between rival drug cartels and government forces in Mexico. Government crackdowns led to the arrest of high-level figures in the drug trade, but violent power struggles erupt in cartels over who will take their place. A national daily cited a Los Angeles Times article saying that nearly 10,000 drug traffickers, state agents and civilians have been killed in drug war-related incidents in Mexico since 2007 . "Kawawa ang bayan natin kung magpe-prevail ang mga siraulo. Ipaglalaban namin ang future ng bayan [The country will be pitiful if these crazies prevail. We will fight for the nation’s future]," Santiago said. In the meantime, Santiago said he is verifying the identity of the anti-drug agent whose daughter was abducted and raped. Drugged, sexually abused A report in the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) newspaper said the daughter of an anti-drug agent was abducted over the weekend and found drugged and sexually abused. The report described the girl as a minor, and “still in shock" and is confined in a hospital. Santiago said it is likely the perpetrators have connection with corrupt law enforcers. "Ang iba kaya malakas ang loob may kadikit na law enforcement people [Some gangs move around without fear because they are in cahoots with corrupt law enforcement authorities]" he said. The PDI cited sketchy reports indicating that the girl went missing on Saturday night. She was recovered at around 6 a.m. Sunday near a military facility in Luzon, the official said. The 2009 World Drug Report released by the United Nations said the Philippines was fifth after China, the United States, Thailand and Taiwan in terms of shabu seizures from 1998 to 2007. “The Philippines remains a significant source of high potency crystalline methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) used both domestically and exported to locations in East and Southeast Asia and Oceania," the report said. According to law enforcers, of the country’s 3.4 million drug users, 1.8 million are regular users while 1.6 million. All out war At Malacañang, Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Lorelie Fajardo said in a briefing Monday that Mrs. Arroyo has instructed government officials to look into the condition of the minor and to provide additional support and protection needed by the victim and the family. Fajardo maintained Malacañang’s all out war against illegal drugs even as President Arroyo ordered authorities to investigate the matter thoroughly and look at the bottom of the case. “We need to get the official report coming from PDEA and the Philippine National Police," she said. Fajardo pointed out that Malacañang is not discounting the possibility that “drug money can be used in the coming elections." She said that the Palace is prepared to protect the citizens. Fajardo also reiterated Malacañang's position against the death penalty, saying proposals to revive it should be studied carefully first. She said the President remains firm on her pro-life stance. Fajardo's statement came hours after several lawmakers from the House of Representatives vowed to move for the re-imposition of the death penalty following the reported kidnapping and rape of an anti-drug agent’s daughter. - GMANews.TV