Photo credit: Inday Sara Duterte

Vice President Sara Duterte expressed support for the continued nationwide campaign against illegal drugs during a recent Anti-Illegal Drugs Symposium held in Pagadian City, where she met with local officials and shared insights from past experiences in law enforcement initiatives.

In her message, Duterte thanked the officials of Zamboanga del Sur for the invitation and welcomed their active participation in addressing the drug problem in their communities. She said it is encouraging to see local leaders taking a direct role in efforts to curb illegal drugs, which she described as a persistent challenge affecting the country.

Drawing from her time in Davao City, Duterte emphasized the link between drug proliferation and rising crime rates. She pointed out that communities struggling with illegal drugs often experience higher levels of criminal activity, which in turn discourages investment and slows down development. For her, peace and progress go hand in hand, and one cannot exist without the other.

She also reiterated her full support for local efforts in Zamboanga del Sur, stressing that the impact of illegal drugs is most severe on the youth and future generations. According to her, protecting children from the dangers of drug abuse should remain a top priority for both national and local leaders.

Duterte ended her message with a call for unity and patriotism, urging Filipinos to continue working together for a safer and more progressive country grounded in faith, nationhood, and family values.