Declare martial law at NBP to ‘kill’ drug trade

We really don’t get it. Why do so many “drug pushers or users” in the slum areas have to die in the “war against drugs”? President Duterte explained that the big fish, i.e., the “drug lords,” are outside the country and all he can deal with are their errand boys (who number by the thousands) in those depressed areas.

We watched the hearings before the committee on justice of the House of Representatives. One thing was clear: Almost all drug operations in the entire country were being run by “drug lords” serving life in the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) with the use of high-end cell phones smuggled inside by visitors or brought in by the jail guards themselves.

It was likewise made clear from those hearings that if the government can clamp down on illegal possession and use of cell phones inside the NBP, the illegal drug trade will wither away. Is this administration really that helpless in totally controlling that swath of land containing only a few hectares? Is it that powerless to isolate or “quarantine” some 14,000 inmates to make sure none of them can communicate with those handling the merchandise outside?

Those five-star luxury “kubol” have to go—meaning, razed to the ground, pronto! Those are where all the communication gadgets are being stashed. Visiting privileges of all kith and kin should be suspended. It’s a small sacrifice compared to what is at stake. A great number of them have become couriers of contraband goods and items.

Stores which require truckloads of supplies (both legit and nonlegit) have obviously no place inside a prison dump. Whoever gave them permission to do business there should be put in jail themselves.

Can’t the President just declare a “state of lawlessness” or “martial law” within the perimeters of the NBP, instead of going on a killing spree to flush out drug addicts?

MARGIE MEGAN LIBRANDO, [email protected]