A ranking police official is optimistic that the illegal drugs problems in the country will finally be fully contained under the next administration, citing the continuous crafting of new strategies of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in addressing the supply and demand sides in the communities.
Police Maj. Gen. Valeriano T. De Leon, PNP director for Operations, said they are now starting to operationalize the PNP- Drug Related Data Integration Generation System (DRDIGS) serves as a digital library of all the information, intelligence reports and other necessary details of the PNP’s campaign against illegal drugs across the country.
“We always hope for the best. We want to put an end to this so our strategy to address the supply and demand of the illegal drugs is continuously being strengthened," said De Leon.
Once fully operational, De Leon said the PNP can effectively manage operational accomplishments by storing, controlling, and handling data and providing quick, efficient, real-time reports and statistics.
Part of the database is the government intervention for the rehabilitation of those who became addicted to illegal drugs and for their reintegration to their respective communities.
"The goal is to maximize the needed intervention of the government and various stakeholders to cut the demand by educating the usual victims of drug addiction while conducting relentless operations against illegal drugs syndicates and their sellers to effectively cut the supply side," said De Leon.
He attributed the significant gains of the country against illegal drugs to outgoing President Duterte, whom he said, stood his ground in the relentless campaign against illegal drugs in the country.
“We really have to render our salute to the outgoing President, Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte for his invaluable support, logistically, moral and everything para labanan itong salot ng lipunan kaya ang status nito has gone down to a manageable situation,” said De Leon.
He explained that the immediate impact was felt by the Filipino people through significant reduction in crime volume and feeling of security when they go out on the streets and the community after drug users and pushers, who used to terrorize the communities, were driven out of the streets.
De Leon has expressed confidence that the same level of support system would be provided by Marcos.
“We are lucky that as early as last week, President-elect Bongbong Marcos already gave a statement that he will continue the effort against drugs to ensure that our future generations are protected including those law-abiding citizens,” said De Leon.