Gov’t War on Drugs to Continue Despite Police Re-Organization

Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Ismael ‘Mike’ D. Sueno has assured the public that the Philippine National Police (PNP) recent organizational shake-up will not affect the Duterte administration’s war on drugs.

Sueno said he supports President Rodrigo Duterte’s vow to overhaul the PNP’s anti-illegal drugs units and replace them with an anti-narcotics body that will work hand in hand with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), which will remain as the government’s anti-illegal drugs body.

“There is wisdom in the suspension of Oplan Tokhang because we are now evaluating our steps and revising our strategies (in the anti-illegal drugs campaign),” he said.

“This is the high-time to confront the much needed internal cleansing among the ranks of the PNP (Philippine National Police). The police counter-intel group will be strengthened to ‘police the police’,” he added.

Sueno also warned all drug syndicates, “not to rejoice yet.” Meanwhile, he said barangays officials and civil society also play a crucial part in curbing the spread of illegal substance by participating in volunteer Programs sush as the Masa Masid (Mamamayang Ayaw Sa Anomalya, Mamamayang Ayaw Sa Iligal na Droga ) teams.

Masa Masid is a barangay-based and volunteerism-based program of the DILG that adopts a multi-sectoral and mass-based approach in reporting incidences of illegal drug activities, criminality and corruption in communities.

Sueno also prodded barangays to abide by the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB)’s Board regulation, which directs punong barangays to organize or revitalize Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADACs), as well as to appropriate a substantial portion of their barangay’s annual budget to assist in or enhance anti-drugs advocacy.(DILG/RJB/JCP/PIA-NCR)