PDEA, PNP ready to work with Robredo

November 5, 2019

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency ( PDEA) and the Philippine National Police ( PNP) on Tuesday said they are ready to work with Vice President Leni Robredo after President Rodrigo Duterte designated her co-chair of the Inter-agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs.

Robredo, who has not yet accepted the position, will be co-chair along with PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino.

In a TV interview, Aquino said PDEA welcomes her designation.

“We believe that she can well contribute as a leader, particularly in the advocacy cluster and on the rehabilitation and reintegration plan,” said   Aquino.

Aquino said it’s a welcome development if Robredo accepts.

“Instead of course of just blaming the war on drugs of the president, why not the vice president help the administration’s campaign on illegal drugs? So I think designating her as a co-chair can greatly help,” he said.

“It’s nice to see when everybody is working together,” he added.

The PDEA chief said Robredo can join their meeting scheduled November 6, if she accepts the appointment.

In a statement, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said they will comply with Duterte’s order.

“The PNP will comply with, and abide by the order of the president,” said Police Brigadier General Bernard Banac, PNP spokesperson.

“The PNP will extend its utmost courtesy, cooperation and full assistance to the Vice President,” he added.

In an interview with Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano on Monday, he said Robredo may have different ideas or strategies for the government to accomplish their campaign against illegal drugs.

“ If he says Vice President Robredo is the drug czar then we will work with her,” he said.

“But for now, the instruction to the PNP is to intensified our campaign against illegal drugs,” he added.

Duterte dared Robredo to be his anti-drug czar after she branded the government's war on drugs a failure and called the administration to reassess it.  Ella Dionisio/DMS