PRESIDENT Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has commended the campaign against illegal drugs by the Philippine National Police (PNP) headed by General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil and said he wants the force to ensure that it will really cut off the head of the (shabu) snake in 2025.

The Commander-in-Chief ordered the PNP to ensure that they will enhance their anti-illegal drug strategies and make sure they “will really hit the source of the illegal drugs.’

President Marcos Jr. lauded Gen. Marbil and his men for accounting for nearly P20 billion worth of shabu and other prohibited drugs this year alone but reiterated the need for them ‘to hit harder to get the source.’

He called on the PNP to institute more reforms and make sure that the ‘undesirables’ in the force will be ferreted out, said PNP spokesperson Brigadier Gen. Jean S. Fajardo.

“Overall, the President was satisfied with the performance of the PNP and he commended the PNP leadership for the major anti-crime accomplishments that have also greatly reduced the crime volume in the country.

He also called for a strict PNP internal cleansing program to further build the trust and confidence of the people,” said the official.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency has reported that P51.14 billion worth of shabu and other prohibited substances have been seized from July 1, 2022 to October 31, 2024.

The Numbers of the National Anti-Drug Campaign released by the PDEA headed by Director General Moro Virgilio M. Lazo showed that during the period, a total of 6,554,59 kilograms of shabu, 75.70 kilos of cocaine, 115,081 pieces of Ecstasy and 5,722.68 kilograms of marijuana leaves were recovered by law enforcement agencies led by the PDEA and the PNP.

A total of 87,802 anti-drug operations were also conducted during the period resulting in the arrest of 119,022 suspects.

All arrested suspects are now charged for violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The PNP earlier unveiled their 4-year anti-drug campaign roadmap as they continued a nationwide all-out campaign against illegal drugs minus the daily killings that marred the ‘war on drugs’ by the past Duterte administration from 2016 to 2022.

Developed by the PNP Drug Enforcement Group headed by Brigadier Gen. Eleazar Matta, the new tact is principally anchored on the protection of human rights and saving lives thru a focused drug rehabilitation program.

According to Matta, their PNP Anti-Illegal Drugs Campaign Plan 2024-2028 is a recalibrated strategy aimed at intensifying efforts to eradicate illegal drugs nationwide without repeating the deadly mistakes of the Duterte presidency which has been criticized for its so-called ‘extra-judicial killings.’

Gen. Marbil emphasized the Marcos Jr. ‘s administration’s commitment to a bloodless and human rights-based campaign in approving the strategy.

Gen. Marbil had said that stopping the drug chain or flow of prohibited substances inside the country, not killing suspected drug personalities, is their top strategy under the Marcos Jr. administration.

He also emphasized the need to ensure the treatment and rehabilitation of drug users in maintaining their ‘bloodless war on drugs’ as cited by the Commander-in-Chief in his 3rd State-of-the-Nation-Address last July 22.

President Marcos Jr. last July said that “extermination” has never been a part of his administration’s anti-illegal drugs campaign, stressing that the drive will remain “bloodless.’

The new strategy highlights the importance of ‘this recalibrated, bloodless campaign,’ said the PNP chief.

“The mission is clear: to conduct intensified operations, ensure successful prosecution, and foster public awareness on the harmful effects of drugs in close partnership with our communities.

This is not merely a policing effort but a holistic approach aimed at achieving a drug-free Philippines by 2030,” he explained.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon