‘MARAMI PANG PULIS NA MATINO’

SENATOR Christopher “Bong” Go urged the leadership of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to continue maintaining discipline among the nation’s police force in light of reports that some police officers involved in illegal drugs have reappeared.

Senator Go said that despite the actions of a few dishonest police officers, there are more trustworthy officers who perform their duties with honesty and integrity.

“Disiplinahin po, mas alam po nila ang kanilang trabaho. Ako naman, naniniwala akong mas maraming pulis na matitino, maaayos magtrabaho,” said Go.

“Hindi magiging successful ang kampanya ni (dating) Pangulong Duterte na labanan po ang iligal na droga at kriminalidad kung hindi po sa tulong ng ating mga pulis. Ako po ay naniniwala na kaya nilang linisin ang sarili nilang hanay,” he maintained.

Go emphasized the need to continue the government’s fight against illegal drugs as he cited the gains made by the administration of former President Duterte to tackle the problem.

The senator stressed that other societal ills, such as criminality and corruption, may also be addressed if the fight against illegal drugs is sustained.

“Mahalaga na hindi masayang ang ating nasimulan at maipagpatuloy ang pagsugpo sa mga nasa likod ng iligal na droga para masolusyunan din ang problema sa kriminalidad at katiwalian,” he reiterated.

The senator likewise cited that FPRRD’s drug war campaign has contributed to the decrease in the country’s crime rate.

As reported by the Philippine National Police, the crime rate in the country drastically dipped by 73.76% from the start of the Duterte Administration in 2016 until 2021.

Meanwhile, Go reaffirmed his call for a more holistic approach to combat illegal drugs in the country and aid drug abuse victims in getting back on their feet through improved government rehabilitation programs.

As part of this initiative, the senator filed Senate Bill No. 428 which seeks to establish a Drug Abuse Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in every province throughout the country. Through the proposed measure, the centers will provide care, treatment, and accommodation to drug dependents.

These drug rehabilitation centers will also offer after-care, follow-up and social reintegration services to assist their patients in adjusting to community life after their release.

“Ito ang laban na may tapang at malasakit,” Go further empasized.

The Commission on Human Rights previously expressed its support to the senator’s initiative of establishing a drug rehabilitation center in every province.

Go then reaffirmed the shared goal of President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. to eradicate illegal drugs while putting an emphasis on rehabilitation initiatives, highlighting how the spread of illegal drugs has posed a serious threat to the lives and safety of Filipinos as well as to the peace and order of the country.

“Nais ko rin pong lumawak pa ang ating pagtingin sa isyu at pagtuunan din ng pansin ang aspeto ng rehabilitasyon. I believe President Marcos also highlighted before the need to focus on rehabilitation,” said Go.

Marcos previously stated that he will continue the efforts of former president Duterte’s administration in terms of law enforcement, albeit in a “more focused away.”

In addition, Marcos emphasized that the second component of a holistic approach is a treatment for drug addicts.