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Authorities push for rehabilitation, deterrence in grassroots approach to fight drugs

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Job Manahan, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Authorities push for rehab, deterrence in revamped drug fight" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/news/11/26/20221126-revamped-drug-war.jpg"/><figcaption><em>ABS-CBN News</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA - Law enforcement authorities on Saturday launched a revamped drug war program anchored on physical activities and cooperation from the grassroots level in order to deter drug use and protect human lives. </p><p>Thousands of attendees from different barangays and churches from Metro Manila flocked to Quezon Memorial Circle to participate in the zumba and walkathon, as early as 5 a.m. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/13/22/marcos-says-working-group-formed-to-strategize-drug-war">Marcos says working group formed to strategize new drug war</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/24/22/marcos-says-admin-to-also-look-into-politics-of-drug-war">Marcos to also look into politics of drug war, as admin adjusts focus on program</a></li></ul><p>The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said its Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan (BIDA) program aims to clamp down the demand in drugs through communities. </p><p>This is a 180-degree turn from President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr’s predecessor, former President Rodrigo Duterte, whose drug war killed thousands and was marked by alleged human rights violations. </p><p>But Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said the drug war under the current administration must be hinged on human rights and the Constitution. </p><p>“Hindi tayo titigil, hindi lang malalaking isda. Ang importante ‘yung tinatawag na demand reduction, yung gumagamit ng droga,” Abalos told reporters. </p><p>“What is more important is the whole of nation approach... pupunuin namin ang mga kulungan ng mga pusher,” he added. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/08/05/22/dilg-eyes-youth-programs-grassroots-focus-in-drug-war">Youth programs, focus on grassroots eyed in &#x27;intensified&#x27; drug war: DILG</a></li></ul><p>He said there would also be a mix of spiritual guidance and physical activities in communities, just ad he asked for the support of local churches for the fight against illegal drugs. </p><p>Abalos noted while this approach is soft, their fight against illegal drugs pushers will still have the same intensity from that of the previous administration. </p><p>“Gagawin namin ang lahat para matigil ang driga. Kung nagkamali ka, huli ka.” </p><div><strong>CHR WELCOME REVAMPED APPROACH </strong></div><p>The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) welcomed the administration&#x27;s drug war approach, but asked authorities to still make sure that those who want to be rehabilitated must not be forced.</p><p>It also noted that these activities must be &quot;consistent with the international human rights standards.&quot;</p><p>&quot;Instead of compulsory or mandatory, the person needs to give full consent, and must voluntarily agree to the program upon the physical activity and rehabilitation begins,&quot; the statement sent to ABS-CBN News read.</p><p>&quot;We support the need to address the drug problem beyond being a mere issue of criminality, but as a health and social issue requiring a human-rights-based approach without breaching a person’s right to health when it comes to the acceptability and quality of intended intervention.&quot;</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=2250636" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more News on <a href="https://www.iwanttfc.com/#!/browse/Genres/News/tag_id_genres/id_news" target="_blank">iWantTFC</a></div><p>The interior chief also tasked local leaders to submit their anti-drug program. </p><p>The BIDA program was also launched simultaneously in Cavite, Davao, and Cebu. </p><p>Around 25,000 people preregistered for the event in the Quezon Memorial Circle. </p><p><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/31/22/pdea-drug-war-also-focused-on-rehab-over-6200-killed-during-ops" target="_blank">At least 6,000 people</a> have been killed in anti-illegal drugs operations since July 2016, data from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) showed. </p><p>The ICC last year authorized a full inquiry into the alleged crimes against humanity under the drug campaign. But it suspended the probe 2 months later on Manila&#x27;s request, which cited its own investigation. </p><p>But ICC prosecutor Karim Khan said in June the probe should restart because the Philippines was supposedly not investigating the killings. </p><p>Duterte, who left office on June 30, pulled the Philippines out of the ICC in 2019 after it launched a preliminary probe into the crackdown. </p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/19/22/chr-govt-encouraged-culture-of-impunity-in-drug-war">CHR: Gov&#x27;t failed to protect rights in drug war, encouraged culture of impunity</a></li></ul>

The new approach is a contrast to former President Rodrigo Duterte's method, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of people.

Authorities push for rehabilitation, deterrence in grassroots approach to fight drugs

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Authorities push for rehabilitation, deterrence in grassroots approach to fight drugs

Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published Nov 26, 2022 12:24 PM PHT

|

Updated Nov 26, 2022 01:52 PM PHT

Read More:

zumba

walkathon

drug war 2.0

BIDA program

Buhay Ingatan

Droga’y Iwasan

new drug war

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