PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief, General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr. on Monday commended the PNP Drug Enforcement Group (DEG) headed by Brigadier Gen. Narciso D. Domingo 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.

Brig. Gen. 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.

Brig. Gen. Domingo said the 81 arrested suspects are now 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 sights on further improving their drug conviction rate as ordered by Gen. 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.

Last week, PNP-DEG operatives also uprooted and destroyed an estimated P23 million worth of fully-grown cannabis plants and seedlings in Barangays Bugnay and Ngibat in Tinglayan, Kalinga.

“This is part of our ongoing effort to locate and destroy all secret marijuana plantation sites in the country in line with the directive of PNP chief, General Azurin,” said Brig. Gen. Domingo.

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

Azurin 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.

During the recent National Heroes’ Day celebration, the top cop said the occasion coincides with reaffirming their commitment to the peace and security Filipino heroes fought and died for.

“With this commitment, we remain on the battlefield against crime, illegal drugs, corruption, and terrorism even as we continue our tireless pursuit of cleansing our backyard of members unfit to be called the nation’s protectors and public servants,” Azurin said.

The top cop has 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 nor 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.

Gen. Azurin has been paying tribute to countless policemen who have been performing their duties well as well as those who have lost their lives in the war against drugs, crime and terror.

However, he has told his men to ensure that the rule of law is always be followed as they continue to go all-out against criminals, specifically drug traffickers in the country.

When he was appointed by President Bongbong Marcos Jr. as his 1st PNP chief, Gen. Azurin made it clear that the rule of law must always be followed although police must also be ready to defend themselves when confronted by ‘armed and dangerous criminals.’

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.

“President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s order for us is very clear: make the country safe while ensuring there will always be due process for all, that the rule of law will always be followed,” he said.