DND wants official order on utilization of military in anti-drug war

From the Philippine News Agency (Feb 1): DND wants official order on utilization of military in anti-drug war

With President Rodrigo Duterte planning to utilize the military in the ongoing war against illegal drugs, the Department of National Defense (DND) on Wednesday announced that it is now requesting an official order regarding the matter.

"In line with this, the Department of National Defense has requested the Office of the Executive Secretary to issue an official order regarding this presidential directive to serve as a legal basis for our troops to follow," DND public affairs office chief Arsenio Andolong said.

Earlier, President Duterte said he is planning to use the military to support the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the ongoing anti-drug campaign.

The decision stemmed from the involvement of several narcotics officers in the kidnap-slay of a South Korean businessman in the so-called "tokhang-for-ransom" racket.

In the same vein, he also wants the latter's assistance in arresting rogue and corrupt police officers.

"By the same token, the President's verbal directive to arrest 'scalawag cops' should also be covered by a formal order," Andolong added.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=960031