Vice President Leni Robredo has accepted President Duterte's offer to be co-chairwoman of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs. After several days of challenging her by administration allies, some even giving snide remarks should she accept, she accepted the offer, maybe to the surprise of Duterte's allies. The whole country was waiting in anticipation as to what Robredo would do, with her camp and allies stating the offer was a plot to see her fail, even saying the position does not exist in the framework of the Constitution.
An administration senator challenged her to accept but immediately belittled her capacity by saying "let's see if you can sleep" in the vernacular. Some say that this was a trap setting her up for failure where she would easily be blamed for the proliferation of drugs. When she accepted, another administration senator said that "this is war, 'hindi pwedeng magpa-cute dito'". Robredo hasn't at the time even met with the committee and these disparaging comments are thrown at her. But who had a mascot crafted in his image when he was the chief of the PNP, dancing all over the country even imitating the smile of the mascot for a picture? Wasn't he the architect of Oplan Tokhang, one of the bloodiest anti-drug campaigns of the PNP in recent years? That's not "nagpapa-cute"? Just an observation.
Now that Robredo has accepted the position - something that may have surprised administration and opposition allies - she should be given time to study and work out a plan to fight the illegal drug trade before passing judgment on her. Many want to help her, many want her to succeed. I'm sure she knows all eyes are on her now. Senator Panfilo Lacson has met with Vice President Leni Robredo and offered some advice. Lacson also served as PNP chief, so his advice will be based on his experience fighting crime and his perspective on the current problem of illegal drugs.
The supply or inflow of drugs into the country should be the focus of authorities and law enforcement instead of going after end-users and street peddlers. The goal is to make the drug scarce thereby making it expensive, hopefully out of the reach of most end-users. In other words, searching for the drug lords and putting them behind bars. The inflow of drugs particularly China must be stopped. We already know of the incidents where magnetic lifters from China were used to stash billions of pesos worth of shabu inside. One shipment was discovered while another shipment most likely made its way into the streets. The US, through its embassy, is also ready to assist Robredo specifically in squeezing supplies.
But Lacson also had a warning for Robredo. She has to "watch her back." If drug lords and suppliers were to be pursued they would certainly fight back. These are no longer the poor that have no real capability to resist. Lacson added that Robredo should have a staff who are truly trustworthy and not afraid to let the vice president know who is involved in illegal drugs, whoever they may be. Active and retired officials who have true callings to serve and protect. I do hope Robredo catches a drug lord soon, lest she is heckled for being soft or "babying a drug lord."