Press Release
February 17, 2006

VILLAR'S COMMITTEE TO PROBE ILLEGAL DRUGS-RELATED ISSUES
INCLUDING PASIG SHABU MART

As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Illegal Drugs, Senator Manny Villar is set to investigate the proliferation of illegal drugs in the country, particularly in the light of the recent discovery and raid of shabu (metamphetamine hydrochloride) stalls in a neighborhood in Pasig City.

According to Villar, "It's about time for our committee to look into the proliferation of illegal drugs in the country, which continues to be a major menace in our society. The so-called shabu supermarket in Pasig City is just among the many issues that we will tackle in our inquiry or investigation."

"Although we will look closely on the Pasig incident, there might be other areas in the country that operate similar drug dens or establishments. We need to task our drug authorities to be more aggressive and vigilant in performing their duties and functions," adds Villar.

The public hearing to be conducted by Villar's committee jointly with the Senate Blue Ribbon Committee, which is tentatively set for Thursday (February 23) next week, is based on the Senate Resolutions separately filed by Senators Miriam Defensor Santiago and Bong Revilla.

Santiago's Senate Resolution 442 directs Villar's committee to conduct an inquiry on the liabilities of certain public officials for the operation of the alleged drug compound in Barangay Palatiw, Pasig City. Meanwhile, Revilla's Senate Resolution 446 directs the committee to investigate the seemingly uncontrolled proliferation of illegal drugs in the country.

"As per Senator Santiago's resolution, we will also check if there is culpability or negligence on the part of public officials regarding the Pasig shabu raid. But I don't want to preempt the investigation by giving a conclusion right away. We will invite resource persons to help us in our investigation," cites Villar.

As this develops, Pasig City Mayor Vicente Eusebio on Wednesday (Feb. 15) ordered the demolition of the shabu shanties in Pasig City, a move questioned and labeled by anti-drug authorities as interference in the administration of justice and destruction of evidence.

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