A total of 24,159 illegal drug personalities were arrested while P9.9 billion worth of dangerous drugs were seized from July 1 to Nov. 24 this year, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) disclosed.
DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos said the multi-billion worth of illegal drugs confiscated during the four-month period includes the 990 kilograms worth 6.7 billion seized in Tondo, Manila; P408 million worth of shabu recovered by authorities in Pampanga; and another P173 million worth of shabu discovered by the anti-narcotics men in Quezon City.
Abalos vowed that there would be no letup in anti-illegal drug raids and operations by law enforcement units aside from focusing on the demand reduction and rehabilitation of drug users.
“Hindi pa rin titigil ang mga raid sa drug dens at sa pagtugis ng pulisya at iba pang autoridad sa mga drug lords, financiers at sa mga naglalako ng droga. Tuloy-tuloy pa rin yan (drug operations) (The raid in the drug dens will not stop and the police and other law enforcement authorities will continue to run after the drug lords, financiers and drug peddlers. This will still continue),’’ Abalos said.
He said the government counts on the support of communities and all sectors of society in going after illegal drug syndicates by reporting suspicious activities in their areas to the authorities.
On Nov. 26, the DILG launched the nationwide BIDA (Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan) program that focuses on demand reduction and rehabilitation using a more intensified and holistic approach involving the national government agencies, local government units, and other key sectors down to the grassroots level.