The chairperson of the House committee on dangerous drugs on Wednesday called for a strict monitoring of private ports and air strips which could be used as entry points for illegal drugs.
Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, panel chairperson, said illegal drugs could be transported in private aircraft, helicopters, and boats especially during the wee hours, when law enforcement authorities are not around.
“Privately owned aircraft, helicopters, and boats are also being used to transport illegal drugs so the Philippine National Police, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the National Bureau of Investigation should also monitor them,” Barbers said.
“In fact, we should always keep an eye on them because they are capable of making big shipments of illegal drugs,” he added.
While these places are private-owned, he said, Congress can come up with a policy that will make private property owners accountable in case of possible violations of the government’s aggressive campaign against illegal drugs.
Barbers said he already made the same recommendation to the Department of Transportation during previous committee hearings in the House.
In a related development, Barbers said private resorts and other tourist spots should also be subjected to thorough screening for illegal drugs.
He said both local and foreign tourists might be using illegal substances considering that most of these places are located away from the crowd and therefore could go unnoticed.
