PGMA's speech during the "Drug-Free Philippines" Interfaith Prayer Rally

Malacanang Grounds (19 July 2003)


Maraming salamat.

Maraming salamat, Secretary Romulo.

Mga kapatid sa Panginoon, this prayer rally kahit na umuulan the Lord's timing is perfect. This prayer rally is a timely response to the challenges we now face. This prayer rally reinforces our collective commitment to our faith. It enhances our spiritual values, it strengthens our institutions and moral rearmament through prayer and worship. As we are now encountering discoveries of large stocks of shabu as a result of the cooperation of the public, I am ordering the PDEA -- General Caisip is here. Please listen to me -- to set aside a regular day of the week for the public burning of drugs, of drugs raw materials and precursors, so that this cannot be recycled for the illicit market by unscrupulous law enforcers.

I want a strict accounting of drugs confiscated and drugs destroyed to the last gram. The accounting must be transparent and involve private groups as observers, kasama na ang kinatawan ng NECCOM. Observers, once charges are filed covering a drugs stash at ginawa na ang hukom, ang kanyang tungkulin na inspeksyunin ang nahuling droga sa loob ng pitumpu at dalawang oras pagkatapos ng pagsampa ng kaso, the drug stash must be immediately destroyed, save for the amount needed to be used as evidence in court.

For every personalities suspected to be involved in a drug case, I want his or her photo published and aired over the media, together with all the details that the public needs to know about these criminals, so that they can help in catching these criminals ang putting them behind bars. The details that should be published with regards to these criminals must include their names, their aliases used, their passport number, their immigration record, their places of residence, their known cohorts, their modus operandi and the reward for capture. Let us put a face and identity to this people. Let us get the Filipino people, the public involved in hunting them down. I direct the PDEA to comply with these instructions subject to any need to temporarily embargo information affecting ongoing operations.

Now, brothers and sisters, under the lord our god whom some of us call Allah, let us pray. Let us bow our heads and remember we are in the most holy presence of god:

Dear lord, we come to you today to offer you thanks and praise even as we ask for your help and guidance in our common fight and struggle to end the proliferation of illegal drugs. We thank you lord for the gains we have reached thus far in stopping the agents of evil and in the closure of their factories and trade which have caused untold misery to our people.

Divine father, we need your abundant mercy and grace for the full deliverance of our nation from the demonic grip and disastrous effects of illegal drugs.

Help us strengthen our collective moral fiber as we heed your words. The words that we read in the readings for today for reflection. The words that you will be giving us, as we read your holy book today and in the days to come.

In full faith we offer our entire nation to you confidently trusting that you will establish your kingdom in the hearts of our people and help us walk in your shadow.

We believe in you almighty god and in you power to lead us towards peace, unity, equity, abundance and social justice under the strong republic of your kingdom.

Amen.

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