House bill vs narco-terrorism filed to fight int’l drug syndicates

MANILA, Philippines — A bill that seeks to empower the government with the legal framework to counter transnational drug syndicates involved in narco-terrorism has been filed in the House of Representatives.

In a statement on Tuesday, Las Piñas Rep. Mark Anthony Santos, chairperson of the House committee on dangerous drugs, said that he has filed House Bill (HB) No. 11751 or the proposed Anti-Narco-Terrorism Act of 2026, which will qualify transnational drug-trafficking organizations as terrorist organizations.

Santos said the bill will amend both the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 and the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 to address potential jurisdictional gaps that transnational drug syndicates could exploit to evade prosecution in the country—especially in scenarios where illegal drug shipments headed for the Philippines are intercepted before reaching the country’s territory.

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“Transnational drug syndicates pose a serious threat to our country because their operations can cross borders, involve multiple networks, and rely on financiers and facilitators who may remain beyond the reach of conventional law enforcement efforts,” Santos said.

“Through House Bill No. 11751, or the proposed Anti-Narco-Terrorism Act of 2026, we seek to strengthen our legal framework against major drug-trafficking organizations by holding accountable not only those who transport illegal drugs, but also the leaders, financiers, and individuals who knowingly provide material support to their operations,” he added.

If enacted, the bill will introduce penalties for large-scale drug trafficking committed by members, leaders, or financiers of transnational syndicates, and classify it as narco-terrorism.

There will also be penalties on those who finance or provide material support to these groups, aside from having local courts exercise jurisdiction over certain drug-related offenses should the illegal drug shipment be intended for or meant to be transported through the Philippines.

Santos said he filed HB No. 11751 following reports that there are several transnational drug-trafficking networks linked to illegal drug activities in the country.

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Santos revealed over the weekend that authorities have identified at least six foreign drug networks operating in the country.

The information comes ahead of an investigation to be conducted by the lawmaker’s panel.

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“Authorities must look beyond intercepted shipments, follow the money, and work with foreign law enforcement to identify and dismantle the syndicates behind the drug trade,” Santos said.

“Drug syndicates do not operate solely through street-level distribution. They exploit private aircraft, maritime routes, financial intermediaries, and gaps in coordination among jurisdictions. Even when a shipment is intercepted, the people financing and organizing the operation may remain beyond the reach of investigators,” he added. —With reports from Katherine Cielo Guimera, trainee