Leaders As Dealers: Narco-Politics in The Philippines: Catindoy, Shechienah M. Bsn1-Blk2

Leaders as Dealers: Narco-politics in the Philippines
In order to instill the national security of the Philippines against drugs, numerous laws
and policies have been implemented. One of which is Executive Order No.15 (Creation of Inter-
Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs and Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force to Suppress the Drug
Problem in the Country) which aims to pursue an effective campaign against the trafficking and
use of dangerous drugs and other similar substances through an integrated system of planning,
implementation, and enforcement of anti-illegal drug abuse policies, programs, and projects
(Executive Order No.17, 2017). The Republic Act no.9165 (Dangerous Acts Act of 2002) is also
encompassed. It “safeguards the integrity of its territory and the well-being of its citizenry
particularly the youth, from the harmful effects of dangerous drugs on their physical and mental
well-being, and to defend the same against acts or omissions detrimental to their development
and preservation” (Republic Act No.9165, 2002). And lastly, the act that further strengthens the
anti-drug campaign of the government or the Republic Act No.10640 is also involved.
With these policies instigated, players of narco-politics come into role. President Rodrigo
Duterte recently announced that there are 3,600 barangay captains and 6,000 policemen on his
new list of drug protectors. This only shows that narco-politics is widespread and clearly evident
in the country. The president even pointed out former Secretary of Justice, Leila de Lima, as the
one who opened the portals of government to politics. The former secretary was arrested due to
her involvement in illegal drug trades especially in New Bilibid Prison (NBP), stating that she
was protecting convicted drug lords and turning a blind eye on their drug operations inside NBP
in exchange for financial contributions to her senatorial campaign (Cabacungan, 2016).
Meanwhile, the existence of narco-politics in the country has affected not only the
government but also the public and private sector. The public has lost its trust to the government,
given that a lot of politicians and officials have been allegedly involved in illegal drug trades.
CATINDOY, SHECHIENAH M. BSN1-BLK2

The chief of the Philippines National Police (PNP) has claimed that more than 300 of his officers
are conspirators in the drug business, Duterte, in 2016 named five police generals as playing a
central role in sustaining the drug trade (Kennert & Eligh, 2019). Also, increased crime rate,
poverty and corruption and increased drug addiction have been dramatically affecting the public.
Due to negligence of such politicians, crime rate is increasing and poverty and corruption is
flourishing since the government is not doing anything and solely focuses on how they could
hoard tons of money. In fact, according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA),
11,321 villages or 26.93% of 42,036 villages in the Philippines are severely affected by drug
problems. More than 3 million Filipinos were reported to be addicted to illegal drugs in 2015,
based on the 2015 Nationwide Survey on the Nature and Extent of Drug Abuse in the Philippines
conducted by the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) (Banlaoi, 2017). As such, public sectors such
as the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Dangerous Drugs Board, Department of
Interior and Local Government, Department of Justice, Department of Health, Department of
Education, Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Trade and Industry,
Department of Agriculture, Department of National Defense, Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority, Philippine Information Agency, Public Attorney’s Office, Office of the
Solicitor General, Philippine Coast Guard, Philippine National Police, National Bureau of
Investigation, Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Immigration, Armed Forces of the Philippines and
Anti-money Laundering Council have been implementing laws and policies regarding the
cessation of illegal drug trade especially among politicians.
Also, the private sectors have been implementing drug-free workplace. They have been
educating the employees the bad effects of prohibited drugs and teaching them how to detect

illegal drugs so that they can deter possible drug trading activities in their respective
establishment.
On the other hand, several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are also extending
their hands to resolve the problem regarding drug usage, addiction and trade. Philippine UPR
Watch, Karapatan, Rise Up for Life and for Rights, Ecumenical Bishops Forum (EBF),
Promotion of Church Peoples Response, the International Coalition for Human Rights in the
Philippines, the Iglesia Filipina Independiente and the Ramento Project for Rights Defenders are
just some of those organizations.
Ironically, even though the NGOs and the government are doing their best to prevent this
political concern, several obstacles have been evident from the creation to the implementation of
the policies and laws that addresses the illegal drug trade. Some politicians who are involved in
narco-politics are opposed to the enactment, afraid that they will be executed and their
wrongdoings will be exposed to the public. They even use inhumane methods just to prevent it.
However, contrary to that, some sectors of the government have been offering
opportunities such as feasible drug prevention programs spearheaded by the Department of
Labor and Employment through the Occupational Safety and Health Center (OSHC). It includes
Advocacy, Education and Training, Drug Testing for Officers and Employees, Treatment,
Rehabilitation and Referral, and Monitoring and Evaluation. With this, some may turn their
backs to their evil deeds and go back to doing what is right (Dangerous Drugs Board, 2015).

Leaders As Dealers: Narco-Politics in The Philippines: Catindoy, Shechienah M. Bsn1-Blk2

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Leaders as Dealers: Narco-politics in the Philippines

in exchange for financial contributions to her senatorial campaign (Cabacungan, 2016).

CATINDOY, SHECHIENAH M. BSN1-BLK2

Interior and Local Government, Department of Justice, Department of Health, Department of

Department of Agriculture, Department of National Defense, Technical Education and Skills

cessation of illegal drug trade especially among politicians.

CATINDOY, SHECHIENAH M. BSN1-BLK2

just some of those organizations.

opportunities such as feasible drug prevention programs spearheaded by the Department of

CATINDOY, SHECHIENAH M. BSN1-BLK2

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