The Philippine National Police (PNP) ordered on Tuesday, July 5, all police commanders to beef up the intelligence-gathering activities in their respective areas of responsibility amid concerns of resurgence of illegal drugs operations with the change in administration.
The past six years under President Duterte was considered as tough days for illegal drugs syndicates and the PNP has been receiving concerns that the administration of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. would pave the way for the revival of rampant illegal drugs trade.
Police Maj. Gen. Valeriano De Leon, PNP Director for Operations, said there were already instructions to police commanders not only to intensify intelligence-monitoring and but also to take the necessary steps to prevent illegal drug syndicates from reviving their business.
"We will not allow this to happen. We will continue the campaign against illegal drugs that was started by former President Rodrigo Roa Duterte. Let us maintain our gains and intensify our intelligence monitoring and operations to discredit these criminal syndicates," said De Leon.
In the past few days, authorities seized almost P2 billion worth of illegal drugs in Metro Manila and Cavite.
In Cavite, more than 220 kilograms of shabu with a street value of nearly P1.5 billion were seized after the arrest of 41-year-old Hai Lin.
The operation was conducted an hour after another Chinese national was apprehended in Quezon City for possessing more than 40 kilograms of shabu worth more or less P272 million.
On Monday night, two more Chinese nationals were apprehended in Malate, Manila, which resulted in the confiscation of more than P100 million worth of shabu.
De Leon also instructed police commanders to strengthen cooperation and coordination with barangay officials, stating that barangay officials are often the source of vital information against illegal drug peddlers.
He said that a positive working relationship between the police and the community is necessary for the aggressive campaign against illegal drugs.