Retired police general-turned-solon welcomes drop in drug-related deaths under PBBM
At A Glance
- Antipolo City 2nd district Rep. Romeo Acop says its a "welcome development" that the number of drug-related killings have gone down under the Marcos administration.
Antipolo City 2nd Rep. Romeo Acop (PPAB)
A retired police general-turned-congressman says its a "welcome development" that the number of drug-related killings have gone down under the Marcos administration.
“The 52 percent significant drop in the number of fatalities, as reported by PDEA (Philippine Drug Enforcement Authority) is really a welcome development. For several years, we have been the subject of human rights abuses in this part of the world,” Antipolo City 2nd district Rep. Romeo Acop said.
“We need to craft legislation that would further improve the Philippine National Police (PNP)’s as well as their other counterparts’ abilities to address effectively – with zero casualty in mind – in going after the drug lords, with the hope of reducing, if not totally eradicating, this menace,” added Acop.
In recent weeks, several House of Representatives members have come out to express support behind President Marcos' "bloodless" drug war.
It should be noted that the International Criminal Court (ICC) continues to breathe down the neck of former president Rodrigo Duterte over administration’s aggressive drug war, wherein thousands allegedly perished.
Acop, a retired police brigadier general, serves as vice chairman of the House Committees on Dangerous Drugs and on Public Order and Safety.
The veteran congressman, who is also a lawyer, has cited marching orders from House Speaker Martin Romualdez to help the two panels in holding public hearings on drug-related issues.
PDEA revealed last week that it has recorded a 52 percent decrease in the number of deaths in anti-illegal drugs operations – with only 19 fatalities from July 2022 up to September this year, compared to the 40 deaths for the same period from 2020 to 2021.
Since President Marcos took over the helm in Malacañang in July 2022, law enforcement authorities have confiscated 4.4 tons of illegal drugs worth over P30 billion.