Robredo will fail as drug czar —PDEA chief Aquino

Vice President Leni Robredo does not fully have what it takes to lead as a drug czar, according to Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chief Director-General Aaron Aquino on Monday.

"Personally, if you will ask me, sa palagay ko she will fail," Aquino said in an interview on CNN's program The Source.

He said that despite his 36 years of service in the police force and over two years in PDEA, it was only when he became its chief that he understood the complexity of the problem on illegal drugs.

He also underscored President Rodrigo Duterte's expertise on the issue.

"Nagsimula na si Presidente, piskal pa lang siya marami na siyang kaso na puro drugs ang kaso niya. He cleaned Davao City during that time and makikita mo 'yung experience niya on how to clean and to make drug-cleared Davao," Aquino said.

In a separate text message to GMA News Online, Aquino enumerated the challenges that Robredo may face if she becomes the country's drug czar.

"PDEA believes that the Honorable Vice President is not abreast with the supply reduction efforts and lacks experience in dealing and working with law enforcers," Aquino said.

"So basically, she has a lot of catching up to do and in the process PDEA is afraid that it will somehow derail its efforts and operations," he added.

Further, Aquino said that solving the issues on alleged extrajudicial killings, drug-clearing of barangays, drug smuggling and trafficking would not be that easy to address for the Vice President.

On the other hand, Aquino said that Robredo's "soft personality" may be efficient in improving demand and harm reduction initiatives under the anti-illegal drugs campaign.

Despite some misgivings on Robredo's capacity to lead the campaign, Aquino assured that if and when she accepts the President's offer for the drug czar position, the Vice President's leadership will get PDEA's full support.

Meanwhile, PDEA spokesperson Derrick Carreon clarified that Aquino's remark on Robredo's qualification was a personal assessment and should not be misquoted as that of the agency's.

"It cannot be immediately misconstrued as the agency's stand on itself... but we would like to also clarify that our DG, being a seasoned police official, has basis for such assessment," Carreon said in a phone interview with GMA News Online.

Duterte previously offered Robredo the power to lead the anti-drugs activities of the government for six months.

Robredo had deferred to answer as she pointed out that she was not sure of the sincerity of the offer. —LDF, GMA News