Back to square one

THE decision of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to deny the request of the provincial government to use a portion of the Camp Tito Abat in Manaoag as the site for the rehabilitation-cum-boot program for the thousands of drug users and pushers that surrendered, is a big letdown.

It is a blow to the campaign supporting the Duterte government’s war on drugs in the province.

We don’t know how Gov. Amado Espino III made his case before the AFP but we hasten to suggest that an appeal for a reconsideration be made that would address the concerns that led to the rejection.

Perhaps it would help to specify the need for the camp for a limited period like 3 years within which hopefully at least a thousand drug dependents shall have been served. Without use of the army camp, there is simply no way the huge number of drug dependents that surrendered can be served an opportunity to turn a new leaf, and lead productive lives.

Without the camp, only a few will get the chance. It’s back to square one for them.

Bato absolved

YES, the General admitted it outright.  He received free plane tickets and hotel accommodation for him and his family from Manny Pacquiao for the Pacquiao-Vargas fight on Nov. 6 in Las Vegas.  And, in so doing, Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, our national police chief, is now in hot water. The Ombudsman is thinking of punishing Bato for committing an “unethical act” under a rule prohibiting government officials from accepting gifts.  But President Duterte defended Bato.  He said that what Pacquiao gave the general for free “were Pacquiao’s boxing skills.”  In short, Digong had absolved Bato.  Digong would next grant actor Robin Padilla an absolute pardon for a gun crime committed decades back.

Can the Ombudsman still pin down Bato? Of course not. Doing that would mean the Ombudsman would be questioning the power of the President to grant pardon to anyone.

Next case, please.

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