The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) wants the government’s illegal drugs campaign to focus on discouraging future buyers from using shabu and other illegal drugs substance. 

DILG Sec. Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr. said special focus will be on the youth, whom he said, are favorite targets of illegal drugs syndicates.

“Can you imagine, kung kasama mo lahat yung mga (illegal drug) buyers di ba (you are with the buyers). You will get let's say to Metro Manila, you will go to the Visayas, you will have so many activities, you will have marathons, arts and culture with the youths),’’ Abalos explained.

He stressed the need to impart the message the importance of life and how life will be pleasant without using illegal drugs or being part of the illegal activity.

“Kasama mo ang mga bata, eskwelahan, simbahan, magulang, community (in the drug war) (You are joined by the youth, school, church, parents and community members. So it's people’s power against drugs and other social ills. Basta magawa, ito naku walang impossible at yun ang plano natin gawin. (If we can do this, nothing is impossible and that is our plan). Involve everyone here),’’ he added.

Abalos said the DILG will concentrate on having ‘airtight’ cases in illegal drug related cases to assure the conviction of the guilty parties.

“Kasi maski manghuli ka na manghuli pero kung karamihan (cases) dismissed, balewala ito. So kailangan siguro hindi lamang ang mga pulis ang malinis eh (Even if many arrests are made and if most cases are dismissed, it’ worth nothing. Maybe focus should not only be in cleansing the police ranks),’’ Abalos said.

The DILG chief noted that a project in relation to the filing of ‘airtight’ cases for illegal drug offenses is in the offing in coordination with Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin ‘Boying’.

He emphasized the importance of making illegal drug arrests that ‘will really stand in court’, will result in ‘talagang (real) conviction and it's proof beyond reasonable doubt.

Earlier, Abalos assured that the country’s sustained war on drugs will be intensified within the bounds of due process and rule of law.

He vowed to be committed to sustain the gains attained in the anti-illegal drug campaign; fill up gaps to improve policies in other major programs of the department and “bring people power against social ills.”