By Genalyn Kabiling

Malacañang is pleased with Vice President Leni Robredo’s willingness to join the anti-drug operations conducted by law enforcement authorities without putting her life in peril.

Robredo, currently in charge of the government’s war on drugs, will have an opportunity to see for herself the realities on the ground and not just base her view on what she has heard, according to Presidential Spokesman Salvador Panelo.

Robredo, the new co-chairperson of the Inter-Agency Committee on Anti-Illegal Drugs, earlier revealed that she was willing to join anti-drug operations following the first meeting of the committee.

Robredo, who accepted President Duterte’s offer to become the country’s anti-drug czar, has sought to review the government’s anti-drug strategy, insisting that “senseless killings” in the drug war must stop.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency head Aaron Aquino, also ICAD co-chair, earlier suggested to Robredo that she see for herself how anti-drug enforcement authorities perform their job.

“We are pleased to note na open si VP Leni dyan sa ganyang situation sapagkat iba yung nakikita mo yung mga operations sa trade kaysa sa nairirinig mo lang ano nangyaari, [We are pleased to note that VP Leni is open to that kind of situation because you will see the operations of the trade instead of just hearing what happened],” Panelo said in a radio interview.

Panelo earlier said when Robredo sees the “hostile and mortal” realities on the ground, she may “reassess” her previous “adversarial” position on the government’s relentless campaign against the drug menace.

The Palace, meantime, expressed confidence that Vice President’s security team could adequately provide protection for Robredo if she joins the operations of anti-drug enforcement agents. He allayed concerns that Robredo’s presence might be an additional burden for the policemen involved in the anti-drug efforts, saying the Vice President has her own set of security team.

The President earlier challenged Robredo to lead the war on drugs until the end of his term following her criticisms on her campaign. When Robredo accepted the designation, the Palace rallied behind the Vice President and urged the public to withhold their prejudices and let her perform her job.

Robredo earlier said the anti-drug campaign should focus on access to public health and that operations must be maintained within the rule of law and bounds of human rights.