Less drug-related deaths under Marcos admin–PDEA
THERE were less drug-related deaths and more drug confiscations made by law enforcement agencies under the Marcos administration from July 1, 2022 to February 29 this year compared during the first two-years of the past presidency, the Journal Group learned Sunday.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) headed by Director General Moro Virgilio M. Lazo said the Marcos government’s anti-narcotics campaign during the period arrested 84,291 drug personalities and 5,691 of them are ‘high-value targets.’
One secret shabu laboratory and 901 drug dens were also dismantled by authorities during the period.
Most importantly, there were less drug-related deaths recorded during the period compared to records during the previous Duterte administration.
Lazo made the disclosure as the Agency renewed its commitment to lead the country’s fight against illegal drugs in parallel with “Bagong Pilipinas,” the campaign rally of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. which calls for a principled, accountable and dependable government program that stirs social consciousness towards transformation, participatory governance and economic growth.
The ‘only blot’ in the Marcos administration’s war on drugs was recorded in Davao City where seven policemen were relieved from their posts and are now undergoing investigation in connection with the deaths of drug suspects in a purported gunbattle less than a week after Mayor Sebastian Duterte declared a war on drugs in the city.
Police Regional Office 7 director, Brigadier General Alden B. Delvo ordered the disarming of the seven lawmen who were also subjected to paraffin tests as part of the ongoing criminal and administrative investigation, said PNP spokesperson, Colonel Jean S. Fajardo.
“The glaring dip on deaths is attributed to a pivotal shift from a harsh approach at the time of the drug war to the present campaign where heightened attention on the conduct of intelligence-based, high-impact anti-drug operations is given much emphasis,” the official said.
