Following the assumption of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to the presidency, a total of 5,591 drug suspects were arrested as the new administration continues the anti-illegal drug campaign of the previous government.
Aside from over 5,000 arrested suspects, the Philippine National Police (PNP) also reported that a total P904.85 million worth of illegal drugs in 4,650 operations in July were recorded, while 16 suspects were killed in operations 188 surrendered during “Oplan Tokhang” activities from 1 to 31 July.
A total of 164 drug suspects, meantime, have surrendered to authorities.
The PNP also stressed that one of the biggest anti-drug accomplishment under the Marcos administration is the confiscation of around 60 kilograms of shabu worth P408 million in a buy-bust operation at the Mega Station along the North Luzon Expressway at Barangay San Felipe in San Fernando City, Pampanga on 28 July 2022.
Previously, Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. vowed to sustain the gains in the anti-illegal drugs campaign, saying he would even join in some of the operations.
He added that the campaign would be continued but the Marcos administration would put greater focus on building up strong cases against illegal drug suspects.
Meantime, Newly-appointed PNP chief, Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr., added that the police force will also “liaise and partner” with other government agencies to reduce, if not totally eliminate instances where the country serves as either a market or transshipment point for illegal drugs.
Azunrin said that they would strengthen partnerships with the Philippine Navy, Philippine Coast Guard, the Bureau of Customs and other government agencies to help sustain the campaign on illegal drugs, and sustain it with the support of the community.
He also ordered concerned police units to come up with a more sustainable concept of operations, especially on illegal drugs, local communist terrorists, terrorism, human trafficking, kidnapping for ransom, and other crimes perpetrated by organized crime groups.