Abu Sayyaf possibly linked to illegal drugs trade

I’d say the Philippines is very lucky to have a president like Rodrigo Duterte. He is a man of courage but with a soft heart, especially for those in need and who are truly serving the country. Our President is not afraid to stand by his belief and to fight for his people and their welfare.

He is definitely determined to put an end to the illegal drugs trade and drug use in our country, and to strike hard at the drug menace at every level—from drug users to small-time drug pushers, to the notorious drug lords and their protectors, and to the narco-politicians.

It is true that the drug problem is one of the main triggers of many other crimes in our society. They affect not only the physical and psychological well-being of a person. They also diminish a person’s sense of social responsibility and muddle his thinking and corrupts his behavior such that, instead of contributing to society, he becomes a burden.

Also, the government should investigate the link between drugs and the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG). There have been reports that a man who turned out to be supplying drugs to the ASG was arrested in Mindanao. It’s possible that this is not an isolated case. It’s possible that the illegal drugs trade is a major source of ASG money that in turn is used to fund its terroristic activities. Or the ASG is using drugs to drive their members into committing terrorism.

The drug menace, crimes, rebel movements, and terrorism are all a hindrance to peace. We should be as determined in eradicating the Abu Sayyaf as we are in our fight to put a stop to the drug menace.

I am appealing to President Duterte: I am a young Mindanaoan and I long for lasting peace in my beloved Mindanao. But I have been living in fear because of the drug lords, criminals, rebels and the ASG terrorists. But I see hope in our first Mindanaoan president; I believe that he can help our country and bring about “change” for the better—for a brighter future for our children and the generations yet to come.

—HELENA L. SOLOMON, [email protected]