Robredo backs community-based rehab program to battle drug addiction

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 26) — Vice President Leni Robredo says she is supporting community-based programs to combat illegal drugs.

Robredo revealed this Monday during a dialogue with health officials at the Camarines Sur Treatment and Rehab Center where options in addressing drug addiction were tackled.

Robredo said the drug war is not only about law enforcement and admission to rehab centers, adding 85 to 90 percent of drug users do not need in-patient rehabilitation,

She said she was supporting a community-based rehabilitation program which would be piloted in the Bicol Region to show an effective anti-illegal drug solution.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Sunday fired Robredo as co-chair of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs less than three weeks after appointing her to the post.

Despite her removal as anti-drug czar, Robredo said she would release to the public in the coming days a report on her findings during her time as co-chair of ICAD.

“Sa mga susunod na araw, magbibigay ako ng ulat sa bayan. Sasabihin ko ang aking natuklasan at ang aking mga rekomendasyon,” Robredo told reporters in a brief press conference Monday.

[Translation: In the coming days, I will give a report to the nation. I will say what I have discovered and what my recommendations were.]

She added, “Kung sa tingin nila matatapos ito dito, hindi nila ako kilala. Nagsisimula pa lamang ako.”

[Translation: If they think that it will end here, they don’t know who I am. I’ve only just begun.]

In response, Malacañang said Robredo can do whatever she likes.

Stringer Rosas Olarte and CNN Philippines Xave Gregorio and Pia Garcia contributed to this report.