The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday revealed a recalibrated approach in its anti-illegal drugs strategy, now targeting the sources and supply chains of illegal drugs instead of street-level pushers and users.
“We are now focusing on high-value drug personalities and the movements of illegal drugs across the country. These are the real targets—those who orchestrate the trade and profit from it, not the street-level pushers and users, who are often victims of circumstance,” PNP chief Police General Rommel Francisco Marbil said in a statement.
According to the PNP, the recalibrated approach was designed to be a “more effective and less bloody campaign” by putting more value on human rights and addressing the drug problem at its very core.
It will now involve intensified intelligence operations and stronger community engagement to identify and dismantle drug trafficking networks.
“We aim to address the drug problem without resorting to bloodshed. By focusing on the real culprits and protecting the victims, we can make our communities safer while respecting human rights,” the Chief PNP added.
Marbil also likened the “complex issue” of the country’s drug problem to the Hydra, a mythical creature which grows more heads if one is cut off.
“Our previous strategies concentrated too much on cutting off the heads, but we need to target the body— the entire supply chain and the sources driving the drug trade,” he said.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. himself had said that he is opposed to handling the drug menace with violence, as compared to his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, who is known for his bloody war on drugs.
In his third State of the Nation Address, Marcos touted his administration’s campaign against illegal drugs, declaring that it did not include killing suspects.
Despite this “bloodless” drug war, the President said his administration’s campaign has resulted in the seizure of P44 billion worth of illegal drugs and the arrest of more than 97,000 drug personalities in its more than 71,500 operations. —RF, GMA Integrated News
