As the Philippine National Police (PNP) starts implementing its recalibrated anti-illegal drugs operations, its chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil reminded all policemen that they have no right to take the life of any person.
In his speech during the flag-raising ceremony at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Monday, Aug. 12, Marbil said that no policemen would find himself in trouble in the campaign against illegal drugs if he would just stick to the police operational procedures and the law.
“In our recalibrated drug war, the first thing that we should put into our mind is to respect the rule of law. We are called law enforcers, then let us enforce the law in a proper order,” said Marbil.
“Let us observe human rights, let us preserve human life,” he added.
Based on the procedures, the use of firearms should always be the last resort, and would only be done if the life of a policeman is in danger.
On Sunday, Aug. 11, Marbil approved 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.
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.
Marbil also told policemen to do away with the mindset that there are people in the country who are hopeless, and therefore, their lives no longer matter.
He said everybody should always be given a chance to change for the better.