22 April 2016 – Philippine Justice Secretary Emmanuel L. Caparas addressed the UN General Assembly Special Session on the World Drug Problem on April 20, reaffirming the Philippines’ “unwavering drive and strong efforts to win the war on illegal drugs under the guidance of an integrated and balanced strategy.”
Secretary Caparas reiterated the three basic tenets underlying the national commitment:
- First, the Philippines’ local and national policies, initiatives and efforts against prohibited drugs are in faithful accordance with the three international conventions on drug control, in solidarity with ASEAN: (a) the Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961 as amended by the 1972 Protocol; (b) the Convention on Psychotropic Substances of 1971; and (c) the UN Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances of 1988.
- Second, the Philippines remains firm and resolute in its opposition to all calls to legalize controlled drugs.
- Third, the Philippines does not support the imposition of capital punishment for drug related offenses or for any other criminal offense.
As set out in the 2009 Political Declaration Action Plan, the UNGASS on Drugs was due to be held in 2019 for the achievement of a significant reduction in or elimination of the demand and supply of drugs. In response to the call of Member States for the UN to host an international conference on drug policy reform, the UNGA, through an annual omnibus resolution supported by 96 countries, decided to hold the global drug policy summit in 2016.
“We are happy to report meaningful progress in our ongoing battle with the world drug problem. In the past 12 years, significant reductions, in terms of both the demand for and supply of prohibited drugs, have been observed, as a result of aggressive measures undertaken by our law enforcement agencies,” Secretary Caparas said.
Under the Aquino administration’s good governance agenda, the Philippine Government continues to urge displaced individuals to engage instead in legitimate livelihood activities, such as abaca or silk farming. “We also adopt a compassionate approach in the treatment and rehabilitation of drug users, with the goal of eventually reintegrating them into mainstream society. These are all part and parcel of an existing National Anti-Drug Plan of Action, which will be implemented until 2020,” the Secretary added.
Almost one hundred Member States delivered interventions that outlined viable and effective alternatives for innovative and successful drug control policy.
Other members of the Philippine Delegation include Secretary Felipe L. Rojas, Jr., Chairman of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB); Philippine Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Lourdes O. Yparraguirre; DDB Undersecretary Edgar Galvante; PDEA Assistant Secretary Rene Arnold M. Orbe; DOH Assistant Secretary Nestor Santiago; Officials of the Philippine Permanent Mission to the UN (New York and Vienna); DOJ State Counsel Dioxenos Sulit and NoBox Transitions Director Ms. Inez Feria Jorge.
“Truly, our best laid plans will be ineffective, unless all nations unite against this foe. With this huge turnout of delegations at this special session, it is clear that we, as a global community, and despite the seeming divergence in our respective approaches, will prevail,” Secretary Caparas concluded. END
