Davao City – Concerted efforts against illegal drug menace in the country have greatly reduced the number of users or addicts in the last five years, but authorities posted a dismal rate of convictions in pending cases, according to the chief of the Dangerous Drug Board (DDB).

DDB Chairman Vicente Sotto III said that in 2004, statistics showed that from six million recorded drug users or addicts, the number was reduced to 1.7 million.

However, Sotto pointed out that only 22 percent of drug cases filed in court have resulted in convictions and about two-thirds led to acquittal, dismissal or provisional dismissal.

Sotto disclosed the extent of the country’s anti-illegal drug drive at the recent seminar-workshop sponsored here by the DDB among judges, prosecutors, and law enforcers from Western Mindanao and Central Mindanao regions.

The participants were updated on the list of dangerous drugs and controlled chemicals and apprised on DDB regulations and provisions under Republic Act 9165.

At the gathering, Sotto also disclosed that at least five government officials in Mindanao are reportedly in the watchlist of both the DDB and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for suspected involvement in the illegal drug trade.

Sotto, however, did not name the officials, except to say that most of them are politicians from the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM).

“Most are in the ARMM. They are being monitored,” Sotto said.

Top police and civilian authorities in ARMM could not be reached to comment on Sotto’s report.