PHILIPPINE National Police Officer-in-Charge (PNP-OIC), Lieutenant General Vicente D. Danao Jr. has ordered all 17 Police Regional Offices and the PNP Drug Enforcement Group to further intensify their war on drugs with the end in view of scoring more convictions while ensuring that the rule of law will always be followed at all times, the Journal Group learned yesterday.

Acting on instructions from Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ C. Abalos Jr., the top cop said he wants his instructions to be fully and strictly implemented by all concerned units.

The PNP-OIC said their crackdown against illegal drug trafficking must continue any time of the day in proper coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, barangay authorities and other elected officials and representatives from the media and the Department of Justice.

The PNP-DEG headed by Brigadier Gen. Randy Q. Peralta is leading the PNP’s crackdown against illegal drugs with the support of the 17 Police Regional Offices and other intelligence units from the PNP and the government.

Danao last week ordered the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) headed by Major Gen. Felipe R. Natividad to ensure the round-the-clock availability of witnesses during the on-site inventory of drug evidence.

“NCRPO is aligned to “push hard” on this campaign aiming to surpass the previous gleaming accomplishments. The renewed approach gears towards a glaring Demand Reduction on illegal drugs at par from the PNP Double Barrel Reloaded program,” said Natividad.

However, Danao said police must always be ready to defend themselves from armed and dangerous criminals.

“Ayokong may pulis na masaktan o mamamatay sa war on Drugs. We must defend our policemen from these unscrupulous criminals lalo na pag ang mga ito ay salot sa ating lipunan at paulit-ulit na gumagawa ng krimen lalo na ang pagtutulak ng droga,” he said.

Natividad echoed the instructions of Danao citing the fact that 10 of the 56 policemen killed while performing anti-narcotics missions since 2016 were from Metro Manila.

He said this in fact is the basis of his order for all NCRPO personnel to have their regular firearms proficiency exercise. The NCRPO also recently concluded its Commanders Challenge to prepare all Metro Manila police commanders to guide their men in the proper handling of guns and knowing how to shoot the real target with proficiency, without endangering other people’s lives.

Last week, Abalos called on members of the 225,000-strong police force to ensure that the ‘rule of law’ is followed as they continue their all-out war versus drugs.

The DILG chief also called on members of the police force to ensure that human rights are always protected as they go after illegal drug traffickers in the country.

However, he said that he will also be ensuring that the rights of policemen who are performing their lawful duties are always protected thru the creation of a DILG Legal Team that will provide support to the PNP.

Abalos has commended the PNP for the major role it has been playing to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic over the past two years and called on the force to brace for more ‘unseen enemies in the future.’

The PNP leadership earlier said Abalos’ pronouncement that he will join anti-drug raids will surely motivate the police force in pursuing its stepped-up campaign against drugs and all other forms of criminality.

“For sure , it will boost the morale of our personnel and improve our legal offensive against illegal drugs and criminality,” said PNP Public Information Office chief, Brig. Gen. Roderick Augustus B. Alba.

Abalos said that President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos Jr. has instructed him to continue the intensive war on drugs with the rule of law to be always observed by the police force.

The DILG chief said they will fully comply with the provisions of the Constitution as they go against illegal drug traffickers and abusers.

“The war against drugs will be as intensive as before on the basis of my oath as a public official in accordance with the Constitution,” Abalos said.

He likewise stressed that every illegal drug case filed by the police should be ‘airtight’ since most of the investigations were deterred due to absence of a witness during the inventory of operations.

He added they will be partnering with all concerned government agencies and the public to win the battle against narcotics.