PCOO enjoins diplomats to look beyond drug war’s perception

PCOO Assistant Secretary Ramon Cualoping III speaks before diplomats in a briefing on human rights-related issues at the Department of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday (Sept. 5, 2018). (PNA Photo)

MANILA — An official of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) on Wednesday enjoined diplomats to look beyond the Duterte administration’s drug war, noting that there was much more the government is doing in terms of rehabilitating former drug dependents and reintegrating them into society.

PCOO Assistant Secretary Ramon Cualoping III made this call during a diplomatic briefing on human rights-related issues held at the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The briefing was attended by representatives from the European Union and its member states, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its member states, Canada, and the United Nations.

“Enforcement of anti-illegal drug laws actually just comprise 10 percent of the government’s campaign against illegal drugs. Ninety percent of the government’s mandate focuses on rehabilitation, reintegration, justice, and advocacy,” Cualoping said.

Cualoping said aside from the drug war, the government is also undertaking measures to reintegrate into society former drug dependents on top of what is currently being done by law enforcement authorities.

“That is the reason why Rehabinasyon has been launched. The government aims to undertake effective measures to reintegrate into society those who have fallen prey to the drug menace while ridding the streets of illegal drugs,” Cualoping said.

“Through Rehabinasyon, the government enjoins several agencies, barangay councils, civil society, and religious-based organizations, and the international community to embrace those who have lost their way and provide them opportunities for reformation and social integration,” he added.

Rehabinasyon, which was launched on June 21, 2017, is the government’s all-encompassing communication campaign against illegal drugs, anchored on the Philippine Anti-Drug Strategy of the Dangerous Drugs Board.

The program also gives importance to the rehabilitation of drug surrenderers.

The Department of Health (DOH), he said, continues to spearhead the construction of more drug abuse treatment and rehabilitation centers across the Philippines.

There is also a hotline, 155, to cater to drug dependents who seek help.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has been providing a training course to former drug dependents to be skilled volunteers at the forefront of disaster relief efforts.

Other agencies under the rehabilitation and reintegration cluster of the inter-agency continue to provide livelihood and skills training programs.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has intensified its efforts in assuring that all barangays (villages) have activated anti-drug abuse councils and implement community-based rehabilitation and treatment facilities to accommodate mild cases of drug dependents.

Meanwhile, Cualoping said that other agencies also continue to ensure that accountability and justice is served to erring enforces.

“The government assures our friends in the diplomatic community that it is not the government’s policy to sanction killings, hence, our commitment to go after the rogue cops,” Cualoping said.

Cualoping reminded diplomats that the Philippines’ drug problem is “larger than more of us have ever imagined” noting that the number of people affected was similar as the population of some European or ASEAN states.

In closing, he asked diplomats to support the Rehabinasyon program, describing it as “an investment for the future.”

“We enjoin you to continue supporting our government’s programs that will benefit what is best for the greatest number of people,” Cualoping said.

“After all, this is an investment for the future, all hinged on the vision of President Duterte for a comfortable life for all Filipinos,” he added.

Officials from DOH, DILG, Dangerous Drugs Board, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, and Office of the President were also present during the event.