Lina confirms shabu supply in Metro low

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jose Lina Jr. confirmed reports that the shabu supply in Metro Manila is on its all-time low.

Lina expressed confidence that with the total support of local government executives and the citizenry, the police is right on track in solving the worsening drug problem in the country.

"What we monitored in the streets is that drug lords have lied low while the heat is on," Lina said, pointing out that a big number of drug pushers have stopped operating while others who choose to continue their operations are being arrested by the police.

Lina did not say, however, if this was the reason why the price of shabu had skyrocketed recently. The STAR learned that the price of shabu in Metro Manila has climbed to an all-time high of P2,000 per gram.

The DILG secretary congratulated the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) under Deputy Director General Reynaldo Velasco for its continuing drive against drug pushers and users since President Arroyo launched last month a renewed anti-drugs drive. Since then, close to 3,000 people were arrested and presented to the media by the NCRPO.

According to Lina, the police’s demand reduction drive and rehabilitation program for drug dependents — two of the major components of the government’s anti-drugs campaign — are successful.

"This effort by our police shows that we mean business contrary to critics’ claim that this is ningas cogon," he said.

Aside from arresting drug pushers and users, the police are also going after shabu laboratories and had busted one in Silang, Cavite on Saturday. Five suspects were arrested while millions of pesos worth of raw materials used in the manufacture of illegal drugs were recovered.

To make sure that the government will get a 100 percent conviction rate, Lina said they will meet with police and jail officials, fiscals, judges, non-government organizations (NGOs) and the civil society in Manila this week to identify problem areas.

"We will be conducting a seminar on the speedy administration of justice to make drug lords and their protectors rot in jail," Lina said.