Citizens drug watch revived

MANILA, Philippines – Dangerous Drugs Board Chairman Vicente Sotto III has revived the citizens’ drug watch program and tapped concerned citizens and civic groups to follow up court cases against suspected drug dealers.

“This will definitely help intensify our monitoring of pending drug cases in courts,” he said.

In an interview, Sotto said the government needs help in monitoring drug cases since anti-narcotics agencies are focused on law enforcement.

“Our Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency has been effective in terms of drug prevention and control – as compared to our neighbors in the Asian region,” he said.

“But you see our archipelago has a very wide coastline so we have to really prevent entry of illegal drugs and chemicals,” he said.       – Edu Punay