(Eagle News) – The Philippine government will now have a renewed and strengthened full approach on the drug war now that Vice-President Leni Robredo has accepted the position as co-chair of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD), as various government agencies vowed to fully support her.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said Robredo is now part of the cabinet of President Rodrigo Duterte, and could attend all cabinet meetings, especially those related to the drug war, as the new “anti-illegal drug czar.”
Panelo said that there is no need for an invitation for her to come in the cabinet meetings, but that if this is needed, the Palace would formally issue an invitation for her to attend these meetings.
“As we said earlier, we welcome her return to the cabinet. And as I have pointed out, this is her moment, and she should seize this opportunity because destiny awaits her, and history beckons,” Panelo said in a press briefing in Malacanang on Wednesday, Nov. 6, after Robredo accepted the post.
“So this is it. By her acceptance, it shows that she is much smarter than her colleagues in the opposition who do not want her to succeed,” he added.
The Philippine National Police also welcomed the Vice-President’s decision to help in the drug war.
-Whole government approach against drugs-
PNP spokesperson Brigadier General Bernard Banac said that this was a very good development as this would further strengthen the government’s drug war.
With this new development, we will have a common stance, a whole government approach,” he said.
Banac said that the ICAD, which is chaired by both Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency head Aaron Aquino and now co-chaired by Vice-President Robredo, will now be a “tremendous force” in the fight against illegal drugs.
He said that Robredo coming into the picture would be a big help taking into consideration all factors, including alleged extrajudicial killings which are being criticized by the opposition, and her experience as a lawyer.
“All these will come into the picture,” he said.
Robredo accepted on Wednesday, Nov. 6, the offer of PresidentDuterte to be the co-chairperson of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD), saying she did this in her interest to try to save innocent lives in the government’s drug war.
“Dahil kung mayroon akong ililigtas kahit isang inosenteng buhay, ang sinasabi ng prinsipyo at puso ko ay kailangan ko itong subukan,” she said.
Robredo said that she would do her best in her new post even if she would face difficulties from other government officials.
-Robredo: “I am against taking innocent lives” –
She said the President knows her position very well.
“Tutol ako sa pagpatay sa mga inosente. Alam niya ang aking mga puna,” Robredo said.
“Simula pa lang handa tayong tumulong sa ikabubuti ng bayan,” she said.
“Kung ito ang pagkakataon para mapatigil ang patayan ng mga inosente at mapanagot ang kailangan mapanagot, papasanin ko ito.”
The Vice-President said that she would not surrender her principles with the acceptance of the post offered by the President, and would continue to give her criticisms to help improve the drug war.
She said she is ready to help President Duterte achieve the objectives of the drug war by helping save innocent lives.
“Ang tanong ko po, ‘Handa po ba kayo para sa akin?’,” she said.
But she said all is not yet lost, and she could help the President in whatever way she could.
“Hindi pa naman huli ang lahat. Puede pa naman nating pagtulungan ito,” Robredo stressed.
President Duterte signed the memorandum appointing Robredo as the new Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD) co-chairperson on October 31.
