The appalling murder of a five-year-old girl by her drug-dependent mom emphasized the need for an intensified anti-illegal drugs campaign, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Jose Ruperto Martin Andanar said.

Andanar issued the statement after he learned about the “shocking” news that Ana Loraine Medalla, 30, allegedly killed her five-year-old daughter, Catherina Medalla Caponpon, by smothering the child with a pillow in their home in Tuy village in Rizal, Laguna on October 14.

Andanar said the gruesome crime allegedly perpetrated by Medalla was proof that individuals who are under the influence of drugs can cause unimaginable harm.

“I am shocked at the news of what happened in Laguna, about the death of five-year-old Catherina Caponpon and the multiple stabbing of her older sister Keisha Kayle at the hands of their own mother whose mind was addled by drug use,” Andanar said in a statement.

“This is an example of the dire effects of drugs and why we must root out its existence. It is deplorable and unfortunate how an innocent life was lost, another harmed, and a family was ruined because of illegal drugs,” he added.

Medalla, who was believed to be suffering from hallucinations due to drug addiction, also purportedly stabbed her eldest child, Keisha Kayle Medalla Caponpon, with scissors.

Her eldest daughter was brought to the hospital in critical condition with some 20 stab wounds.

Medalla was nabbed by authorities and would face parricide and frustrated parricide charges.

Andanar said President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration would not allow a repeat of such an incident involving drug offenders.

“To let such incidents continue to happen is unacceptable. The government will continue to do all it can until drugs and the threats it poses on the lives, safety, and well-being of the Filipinos are eradicated for good,” Andanar said.

Duterte has repeatedly warned drug personalities that his crackdown on narcotics trade will be relentless until his term ends in 2022.

The President has also stressed that his anti-drug campaign is “far from over,” as he intends to be “harsher” against anyone involved in illegal drugs. (PNA)