Gen. Rommel Francisco D. Marbil, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), ordered on Sunday, Aug. 11, a recalibrated approach on the campaign against illegal drugs that prioritizes targeting the sources and supply chains instead of focusing on street-level pushers and users.
Marbil explained that the illegal drugs problem will not be resolved if the focus of the operations are small and low-level players in the illegal drugs trade.
“This approach is designed to be a more effective and less bloody campaign by putting a premium on human rights and addressing the drug problem at its very core,” said Marbil.
“Our previous strategies concentrated too much on cutting off the heads, but we need to target the body— the entire supply chain and the sources driving the drug trade,” he added.
Based on the new strategy, intelligence-driven operations and stronger community engagements will be prioritized to identify and dismantle drug trafficking networks.
Marbil explained that focusing on high-value drug personalities and the movements of illegal drugs across the country should be the real targets as they are the ones orchestrating the trade and profiting from it.
He said street-level pushers and users are often victims of circumstance.
““We aim to address the drug problem without resorting to bloodshed. By focusing on the real culprits and protecting the victims, we can make our communities safer while respecting human rights,” said Marbil.
“With this approach, we are not only saving lives but also working toward a better future for our nation. We are committed to addressing the drug issue with compassion, strategy, and adherence to the rule of law,” he added.