Robredo’s involvement in drug war a positive development — PNP spox

Shortly before Vice President Leni Robredo officially accepted to co-chair the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs (ICAD) on Wednesday, the Philippine National Police reiterated that it welcomes her possible involvement in the drug war.

"Positibo ang ating pananaw dito at welcome kay VP Leni na sumama dito sa ating kampanya laban sa iligal na droga," PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Bernard Banac said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV on Wednesday.

"'Yun namang pagkakaiba-iba ng opinyon, bahagi ng isang buhay na demokrasya at napakahalaga ngayon na ang lahat ay magsama-sama, magtulong-tulong para sa isang mithiin na masugpo ang problema sa iligal na droga at makamit ang mithiin na drug-free Philippines by 2022," he added.

President Rodrigo Duterte designated Robredo as the co-chair of ICAD, a few days after she said that the administration's anti-drugs campaign needs reassessment.

Robredo accepted the President's offer on Wednesday afternoon.

Banac welcomed Robredo's decision.

"The Philippine National Police welcomes the acceptance by the Vice President of the designation as the co-chair of the interagency anti-drugs committee," Banac said in an interview on ANC television.

"The Philippine National Police commits to support her and extend to her all cooperation and support," he added.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) chief Director-General Aaron Aquino, the current chair of ICAD, earlier urged Robredo to accept the offer even as he initially opined that she will fail as a drug czar.

"Puwede nga naming paghatian 'yun, 'yung trabaho. Puwedeng siya doon sa adbokasiya at pagdating doon sa rehabilitation at reintegration na cluster," Aquino said.

"Akin naman, pwede ko hawakan 'yung law enforcement cluster at justice cluster," he added. — Dona Magsino/RSJ, GMA News