A study released by the Southern Police District Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force (SPD-AIDSOTF) showed that ecstacy (methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is now the third major illegal drug problem next to shabu and marijuana.

"It is fast gaining popularity among the rich," Police Superintendent Adolfo Samala Jr., AIDSOTF action officer said, during a dialogue held in Makati City.

Samala said that unlike shabu and marijuana, anti-drug operatives are having hard time keeping track of the usual drug trafficking routes of those who are engaged in selling and manufacturing ecstacy pills since the drug itself comes in various forms.

"Tactical interrogation of arrested ecstacy peddlers revealed that there are at least 13 kinds of ecstacy tablets sold in Metro Manila, and three of these are locally made," Samala said.

Antonio Montojo Jr., chief of operations of the Makati Anti-Drug Abuse Council (MADAC), said that while police are doing their best to intensify its campaign and block drug trafficking routes of the drug, eradicating it is hard since it is only made available to those who are affluent.

"This illegal drug is not the kind which you can buy from anyone on the street. Most of those who sell ecstacy do this in posh enclaves like bars, clubs and entertainment establishments where they can offer these to clients in a subtle manner," Montojo said.

The drug comes in various forms and is called in various names such as doves, XTC, disco biscuits, Smarties, Bruce Lee’s, hug drug, magic beans, Mitsubishis, Rolexes, and dolphins. One tablet can amount to R1,500 to R3,000.

"Mayayaman ang bumibili at mayayaman din ang naglalabas," Montojo said.

He also said the law enforcement is faced with the problem on funding to effectively address the situation.

"It’s hard to make a buy-bust operation against ecstacy users because of lack of funds and training. Our police have yet to study how to ‘go-with-the –flow’ and know the ‘happenings’ that occur inside private parties," he explained.

Reports showed that in Makati City, ecstacy peddlers purportedly come from Dasmariñas Village while shabu operations in the city mainly originate in adjacent Taguig City and from Bacoor, Imus, and Dasmariñas, Cavite.

The SPD, in its report, said that from Jan. 1 to 31, it seized a total of 55.64 grams of shabu worth R278, 200; 140.99 grams of marijuana worth R3,524.75; and 112 and ½ tablets of ecstacy valued at R135,000.

But anti-illegal drug officials said they will continue monitoring the drug trafficking situation in all cities and study recent developments and emerging trends to substantially decrease the problem on illegal drug abuse.

Samala said that though various strategies against illegal drugs have been implemented even with the repeal of the former drug law, drug abuse still exists not just among the youth but even among parents and professionals. New drug personalities are also coming up, he said.

"The SPD will continue the fight even with minimal and meager resources in order to attain the vision of a drug-free Philippines in 2010," Samala said.