By Ben Rosario The mere transfer of erring officials believed involved in drug cases puts at risk the Duterte government’s anti-drug campaign, Magdalo Patylist and senatorial candidate Rep. Gary Alejano said. Magdalo Partylist Rep. Gary Alejano
(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) Alejano said Duterte’s decision to merely relieve Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapena and appoint him to a Cabinet position as head of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) "shows that the war on drugs is fake and a sham.” Lapena was ordered relieved as Customs chief after it became clear that some P6.8 billion in shabu was smuggled into the country during his watch. “The recent revelations and admissions of officials regarding the P6.8 billion worth of shabu that slipped from the BOC only confirmed this farther,” said Alejano, referring to reports that the magnetic lifters discovered in Cavite contained illegal drugs. Alejano said in a statement: “We cannot expect the war on drugs to succeed if officials themselves are not held accountable for their blunders.” He said further, “It has been the practice of the Duterte administration to just transfer erring officials to another government post without holding them accountable for their actions.” He said this “encourages and perpetuates impunity and corruption in government.” Moreover, he said "constant changing of leadership does not help in setting a clear direction for policy implementation." "I hope that the new Customs chief would finally resolve the issues surrounding the shabu shipments that slipped from the authorities,” he said. “Those behind and involved must be held accountable before the law. “