Anti-drug courier campaign goes to Antique

n Pilar S. Mabaquiao

SAN JOSE, Antique – The fourth leg of the campaign on Anti- Drug Couriers in Region 6 goes to the province of Antique reaching out to various sectors exposing the modus operandi of drug syndicates.

The advocacy group of Task Force Drug Couriers in Region 6 spearheaded the briefing on drug couriers at Pinnacle Suites and Functions, San Jose, Antique on Friday

More than 90 participants from multi-sectoral groups such the Philippine National Police, municipal mayors, heads of government agencies, non-government organizations, information officers and members of the media attended the briefing.

Regional Director Paul Ledesma, of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 6 underscored the importance of family and community awareness to the issues of drug mules so that they can deter the recruitment at the local level.

"Concerted efforts are needed not only by the law enforcers but also by the families, communities and various agencies and private sectors to prevent recruitment of drug couriers," Ledesma said.

PDEA cited some modus operandi of drug syndicates such as offering some huge amount in exchange of carrying some luggage or packages not knowing that drugs are placed inside, meeting through the internet, some marry the locals that later turn couriers or cohorts.

More often Filipinos are recruited as tourists to different Asian countries which don’t require visa with airfare and hotel accommodations and given huge amount of money after a successful delivery, explained Ledesma.

Syndicates are more aggressive now couriers being forced to ingest the drugs, or to hide the drugs in his/her private parts.

The source further cited reasons why Filipinos are lured to become drug mules. On top of the list is poverty, unemployment, poor educational background, attracted to the idea of travelling abroad and easy money where mules are given $2000 for every successful delivery.

Statistics revealed that more women are recruited as drug mules with 431 and only 258 men.

On the other hand, Atty. Ma. Janet C. Mesa, regional director of Philippine Information Agency 6 (PIA) echoed the statement of the Department of Foreign Affairs that the government has done everything to protect the right of Filipino nationals arrested abroad however, those countries where these Filipinos were arrested have their own laws to follow, and we can’t intervene while the judicial process is going on.

Ms. Rhea Glynda D. Calantas, officer-in-charge of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) and Cris Erpe of the Department of Foreign Affairs also joined the advocacy group to call for concerted efforts to put a stop in human and drug trafficking.

Task Force Drug Couriers is headed by PDEA and DFA. Its member agencies are Dept of Labor and Employment and Department of Justice, Bureau of Immigration, Customs, National Bureau of Investigation , PIA. Manila International Airport Authority, Commission on Higher Education, OP-ES, PNP-ASG, Phil Tourism Authority and others. – JCM/PSM/PIA6 Antique