QUEZON CITY, Oct. 12 (PIA) – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) cited significant gains in its intensified war against illegal drugs during the first 100 days of the administration of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
PDEA Director General Isidro S. Lapeña said the government’s fight against illegal drugs has never been strongly felt by the Filipinos under the Duterte Administration.
“When I took over the leadership of PDEA, the President ordered to stop the drug problem in three to six months by all means that the law allows,” said Lapeña.
He added that in response to the President’s marching order, PDEA focused its operational thrusts towards the conduct of high-impact operations and arrests of high-value targets to suppress the supply of dangerous drugs, while stepping up the drug demand reduction efforts in the communities.
From June 30 to October 7, PDEA in collaboration with other law enforcement agencies has conducted a total of 7,928 anti-drug operations that led to the arrest of 8,428 drug personalities, the filing of 7,002 drug cases, and the seizure of P8.21 billion worth of dangerous drugs and controlled precursors and essential chemicals (CPECs).
“Due to the intensified efforts of these anti-drug units, the first floating shabu laboratory and industrial-type shabu laboratory were discovered and dismantled. There were five clandestine shabu laboratories dismantled during the period, compared to the two illegal facilities dismantled in 2015 and three in the first semester of 2016,” Lapeña said.
According to PDEA, a notable increase in the volume of illegal drugs confiscated was observed. A total of 573.95 kilograms of shabu, the primary drug of choice, were already seized. The highest seizure of shabu was recorded so far this year, with a total of 1,453.46 kilograms, exceeding the yearly seizures from 2010 to 2015.
According to PDEA, a notable increase in the volume of illegal drugs confiscated was observed. A total of 573.95 kilograms of shabu, the primary drug of choice, were already seized. The highest seizure of shabu was recorded so far this year, with a total of 1,453.46 kilograms, exceeding the yearly seizures from 2010 to 2015.
A total of 25 drug dens were closed down nationwide during the period.
Authorities also confiscated a total 558.96 kilograms of dried marijuana leaves and destructed marijuana plants with an estimated value of P4.79 billion.
In addition, ecstasy also made remarkable increase in seizures. A total of 12,014 ecstasy tablets were confiscated in the 100-day period, compared with the recorded yearly seizures from 2011 to 2014 combined. On the other hand, the seizure of 34.39 kilograms of cocaine, which were intercepted in the country’s premier airports, has already eclipsed the seizure in 2015.
“The confiscated drug and non-drug evidence valued at P8.21 billion during the period has gone beyond the yearly recorded seizures of illegal drugs from 2011 to 2015,” the PDEA chief noted.
“The confiscated drug and non-drug evidence valued at P8.21 billion during the period has gone beyond the yearly recorded seizures of illegal drugs from 2011 to 2015,” the PDEA chief noted.
Another breakthrough in the history of drug law enforcement in the country is the voluntary surrender of 733,635 drug personalities which comprises 24 percent of the 3.7 million drug users nationwide. Due to the mass surrender, shabu consumption was reduced to 2.24 metric tons that translates to P5.59 billion proceeds loss of drug syndicates, and the crime rate was reduced by 49 percent.
Further, the strong political will of shame-naming the drug protectors in the government instilled fear among those involved in the illegal drug trade and made them yield to authorities. The reinforced implementation of jail management systems had also positive effects in the reduction of drugs in the streets.
“Also taken into account is the rapid increase of the street price of shabu in the local market. From P1,200 to P11,000 per gram in January to June 2016, shabu now ranges from P1,200 to P25,000 per gram. This is the highest since 2002,” the PDEA chief pointed out, citing that when the market price of illegal drugs rises, it is generally assessed that there is scarcity of supply.
To strengthen the government’s anti-drug campaign in the communities, PDEA initiated the conduct of 34,296 drug demand reduction activities, including anti-drug summits throughout the country. To unite communities in the fight against illegal drugs, MASA MASID, a community-based program that aims to encourage pro-active participation of the citizenry for the prevention of corruption, illegal drugs and criminality in the barangays, was launched.
“It is noteworthy that it only took one hundred days to accomplish these achievements in response to the self-imposed obligation of the President. We can do more. The intensified war on drugs, at present, is seen, felt, and more importantly, participated in by the Filipino people, thus making the challenge, though overwhelming, becoming more and more attainable,” Lapeña said. (PDEA/RJB/JEG/PIA-NCR)
“It is noteworthy that it only took one hundred days to accomplish these achievements in response to the self-imposed obligation of the President. We can do more. The intensified war on drugs, at present, is seen, felt, and more importantly, participated in by the Filipino people, thus making the challenge, though overwhelming, becoming more and more attainable,” Lapeña said. (PDEA/RJB/JEG/PIA-NCR)
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