THE Philippine National Police (PNP) has reported significant progress in the campaign against illegal drugs in January 2023, with 4,632 operations conducted and 6,248 arrests made.
According to PNP Chief, General Rodolfo Azurin Jr., the operations resulted in the confiscation of illegal drugs with a total street value of P460,106,164.49.
“The impressive achievements highlight the effectiveness of the intelligence-driven approach to reducing supply, which places a strong emphasis on nonviolent means of making arrests while ensuring the safety of teams involved in violent encounters with armed suspects through proper equipment and training. This is the new face of our anti-illegal drugs campaign,” Azurin said.
“The centerpiece of this effort is the Recovery and Wellness Program, which is part of the Anti-Illegal Drugs Operations through Reinforcement and Education (ADORE), the final phase of the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) endgame strategy against drug abuse, Azurin added.
During the month-long operations in January, four drug suspects who put up violent resistance to lawful arrest died in some isolated incidents, but Azurin emphasized that the PNP is taking measures to ensure the safety of all parties involved in the anti-illegal drug campaign. He stated, “The PNP is committed to bringing justice to the Filipino people and ensuring their safety, but we also understand the importance of protecting the rights of all individuals involved in the operations. We are continuously working to balance these responsibilities.”
“I am proud of the hard work and dedication of our police force,” said Azurin.
“These numbers show that our anti-drug efforts are bearing fruit and we will continue to take strong action against those who threaten the safety and well-being of our communities.”
The PNP’s relentless pursuit of big-time drug pushers is a key component of the government’s overall strategy to combat illegal drugs through the BIDA Program of our SILG, Atty. Benjamin Abalos, Jr.
With these successful operations, the PNP is sending a clear message that illegal drug activity will not be tolerated.
Azurin added, “This is just the beginning. We will not rest until we have completely stamped out this problem and restored peace and security to our communities. We remain committed to working hand in hand with the public to combat this menace.”
