THERE were less drug-related deaths and more drug confiscations made by law enforcement agencies under the current Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. administration from July 1, 2022 to December 31, 2023.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) headed by Director General Moro Virgilio M. Lazo said the arrest of 75,880 drug targets and the seizure of around P31.07 billion worth of shabu topped the accomplishment in the drug program of the Marcos government.

Director General Lazo made the disclosure as the agency renewed its commitment to lead the country’s fight against illegal drugs in connection with “Bagong Pilipinas,” the campaign of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. for a reinvigorated Philippines.

The ‘only blot’ in the Marcos administration’s war on drugs during the period was ecorded in Davao City where seven policemen were relieved from their posts.

The policemen are now undergoing investigation in connection with the deaths of drug suspects in purported gunbattle less than a week after Mayor Sebastian Duterte declared a war on drugs in the city.

Police Regional Office 7 (PRO7) director Brigadier General Alden B. Delvon has 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 PDEA chief said that during the 18-month period, the Marcos administration scored a modest success in the fight against drugs and described it as “signs that the ruling government is on the right track and taking progressive steps to rid the country of illegal drugs.”

In partnership with various law enforcement agencies, led by the Philippine National Police, the PDEA conducted 55,495 anti-illegal drug operations during the period.

Although the numbers of anti-drug operations and arrests pale in comparison to the figures posted at the onset of the intense war on drugs under former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Lazo said there was a 95 percent decline in the number of drug personalities who died during anti-drug operations.

“These substantial gains are a testament of the government’s resoluteness to actively pursue high-level drug traffickers and organized criminal networks involved in the illegal drug trade, while at the same time turning the spotlight on the strict adherence to the rule of law, and respect for life, dignity and rights of an individual,” Lazo said.

The official said that the PDEA and other law enforcement units have refocused their efforts to consciously apply human rights principles and practices in enforcement operations.

“The operations are more intelligence-driven, citing its crucial role in counter-narcotics efforts, with particular consideration on the use of non-violent methods in effecting arrest of suspects, especially armed ones, with only the least amount of reasonable force required to accomplish the mission.

These factors led to a dramatic plunge on drug-related deaths in contrast to PRRD’s drug war,” the PDEA chief said.

Hitting the reset button, the national anti-drug campaign is enjoying a long-awaited renaissance under the “Bagong Pilipinas” brand of leadership, he said.

In support to the drug reformation and rehabilitation program of PBBM’s government, PDEA, together with the local government units and other government agencies, continually implements the Balay Silangan Reformation Program, a community-based endeavor aimed to build temporary shelters which house surrendering drug offenders with the objective of reforming them into self-sufficient and law-abiding members of society.

In 2023, 105 Balay Silangan Reformation Centers were established. These facilities have produced 1,854 graduates after undergoing appropriate interventions and livelihood and skills training programs, Lazo said.