PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief, General Rodolfo S. Azurin yesterday congratulated the men and women of the 226,000-strong organization who have contributed well in the high approval rating given by the public to the administration of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos Jr. during its first 90 days.

“Congratulations everyone on our efforts to bring peace and security to every Filipinos. I am certain we can still raise the bar and improve some more,” the top cop in noting the Marcos administration’s high approval rating for its handling of several key issues including fighting criminality and law enforcement.

Results of a Pulse Asia survey released on Thursday last week showed that respondents gave the PBBM administration a 67 percent and 62 percent approval rating respectively when it comes to fighting criminality and law enforcement.

“Team work, unity of command and unity of direction for a common goal will give us better accomplishments! Aim high and we soar higher,” said Azurin as he maintained that every member of the PNP will always strive to work their best everyday, and with the help of all sectors in the community including the Church leaders, the vision of President Marcos Jr. for a robust economy will be a reality.

“Tulong tulong tayo para sa isang Maayos, Mapayapa at Maunlad na Pamayanan,” the PNP chief said.

According to Pulse Asia, the Marcos administration received majority approval ratings on 11 of the 13 issues on which its performance was assessed in September 2022.

Pulse Asia’s September 2022 Nationwide Survey on Urgent Concerns and the Performance Ratings of the National Administration on Selected Issues showed that appreciation was the majority sentiment toward the present administration’s work in the following:–calamity response (78%); -controlling the spread of COVID-19 (78%;) -promoting peace in the country (69%) ; protecting the welfare of overseas Filipino workers (68%) ; fighting criminality (67%); law enforcement (62%); creating more jobs (59%); increasing workers’ pay (59%); fighting graft and corruption in government (58%); environment protection (57%); and -defense of the country’s territorial integrity (52%).

The Pulse Asia survey was conducted from September 17 to 21 and had 1,200 respondents nationwide.

Latest PNP records showed that from July 1 to October 6 this year—or the first 98-days of the PBBM presidency, police arrested 15,548 known drug personalities and seized an estimated P2.102 billion worth of shabu and marijuana.

Azurin told the Journal Group that during the 98-day period, the drug arrests and seizures were made by his men as a result of 13,076 anti-narcotics operations across the country.

During the same period, 19 armed drug offenders were also killed in gunfights with undercover officers who tried to arrest them in buy-bust operations and service of search warrants.

Azurin said that notable of the PNP accomplishment during the period is the seizure of more than 227 kilograms of high-grade shabu and over 438 kilos of dried marijuana leaves which could have flooded the streets of Metro Manila and other parts of the country.

Police also uprooted and destroyed over 2.6 million pieces of fully-grown marijuana plants and seedlings in the countryside during the period,

The police force, spearheaded by the PNP Drug Enforcement Group headed by Brigadier Gen. Narciso D. Domingo and the 17 other Police Regional Offices led by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) under Brig. Gen. Jonnel C. Estomo made the significant anti-drug accomplishments.

Azurin has also commended the PNP-DEG for making a huge dent on the illegal drugs industry in the country without having to shoot suspects.

He cited a PNP-DEG report which showed that from September 12 to 16, the PNP-DEG arrested 81 top targets in a weeklong anti-narcotics operation which resulted in the seizure of over P560 million worth of shabu and marijuana and with no deaths reported.

Domingo said that recovered during those operations were P526,166,000 worth of prohibited drugs. They include nearly 61.5 kilograms of high-grade shabu and at least 720,000 pieces of cannabis plants.

PNP-DEG operatives also confiscated two illegal firearms during the period.

Domingo said the 81 arrested suspects are facing non-bailable charges for sale and possession of prohibited drugs under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The official said they are focusing their sight on further improving their drug conviction rate as ordered by Azurin who has maintained that he wants drug traffickers jailed, not killed in gunbattles, since they would have to suffer each day they are in prison once they are convicted, say for 30 years or more for violating the country’s drug laws.

The PNP-DEG is also spearheading a massive police effort to identify and destroy all clandestine marijuana plantation sites in the country, specifically those located in the Cordillera region.

The PNP chief earlier reminded his men anew that “killing is not the best solution in deterring crime” in the country.

He issued the strong reminder as he called on his field commanders to ensure that their men remain visible in areas where crimes are likely to happen and that they should always be around to help boost the morale of their men and, at the same time, give them the confidence they need to do a great job 24/7.

However, the PNP chief maintained that policemen performing their sworn duties round-the-clock must always be ready to defend themselves and the lives of others once needed.

The advice was given amid the presence of defiant “armed and deadly” criminals and other lawless elements who are always ready to kill policemen at any given opportunity.

The top cop has also underscored the need for the police force to ensure that all its work will be anchored on the “rule of law” and that it should always be enforced without fear or favor.

“Let us always ensure that the judicious use of authority shall be grounded on the respect for human dignity, transparency, integrity, accountability, the rule of law, and democratic governance.

This level of commitment and dedication to your service is instrumental in our tireless pursuit of regaining the trust and confidence of the Filipino people,” he said.

The PNP chief has called on his men to be guided by their peace and security framework dubbed “MKK=K” or “Malasakit, Kaayusan, Kapayaaan tungo sa Kaunlaran” and the KASIMBAYANAN program or “Kapulisan, Simbahan at Pamayanan” as they work in unison to realize the government’s aspiration of a much safer, peaceful, more progressive and stronger equitable society.

He has always maintained that sending drug traffickers and other criminals to jail and not killing them remains a police priority under the new Marcos administration.

The PNP chief said he is of the belief that killing a criminal will just help him end his sufferings while being hunted by the law. “Pero pag na-convict mo ang isang criminal, says for 30-years in jail, araw-araw na pagsisisihan niya ang krimeng nagawa niya ang kung sakaling lumaya pa siya, is he going back to his old ways,” he asked.