'Drug war in line with rule of law'

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines has underscored anew that the country’s relentless campaign against illegal drugs is being waged with firm adherence to the rule of law, due process and human rights principles.

During a recent special segment on the follow-up to the special session of the United Nations General Assembly on the world drug problem in Vienna, Austria, the Philippine delegation led by Dangerous Drugs Board chairman Benjamin Reyes emphasized the current government’s actions were pursuant to the mandate of the Constitution and to the country’s obligations as a state party to international human rights treaties and covenants.

In his statement, Reyes also discussed several activities of the government to curb the drug problem, such as the flagship prevention program “Barkada Kontra Droga” (peer-based strategy against drugs), the implementation of community-based interventions and the country’s recent entry to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and World Customs Organization Container Program.

He said this would reflect the country’s strong commitment to end the drug menace.

“The nation’s desire to win the war on illegal drugs is unwavering and we remain committed to our vision of a drug-resistant and eventually drug-free Philippines under the guidance of an integrated and balanced strategy,” Reyes said.

The UN General Assembly held a special session on the world drug problem in New York on April 19 to 21. The special session was hailed as an important milestone in achieving the goals set in the policy document of 2009, “Political Declaration and Plan of Action on International Cooperation towards an Integrated and Balanced Strategy to Counter the World Drug Problem.”

The document defined the action to be taken by member-states as well as goals to be achieved by 2019.

Philippine Permanent Representative to the UN Maria Zeneida Angara Collinson, Deputy Permanent Representative Sulpicio Confiado, Third Secretary Janina Bustos, attaché Cristine Clasara-Steylaerts and lawyer Philip Josef Vera-Cruz of the DDB completed the Philippine delegation.