The Philippine National Police (PNP) has created a thorough review of the past campaigns against illegal drugs in a bid to come up with a clear guideline on how the recalibrated drug war would be carried out.
PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said the comprehensive review includes those implemented in the past administration, including the Oplan Double Barrel and its predecessor operations.
“The review is aimed at evaluating their effectiveness and identifying both strengths and weaknesses. This initiative aims to further enhance the PNP’s recently recalibrated anti-illegal drugs campaign,” said Marbil.
"We need to take a hard look at our past and present strategies in the fight against illegal drugs. By understanding what worked and what didn’t, we can refine our approach and ensure a more effective and humane campaign moving forward," he added.
More than 6,000 drug users died while thousands more were killed by drug war-inspired vigilante groups in the past administration.
Under the recalibrated drug war, Marbil said it will put premium in saving as many lives and to ensure that the use of guns will always be the last resort.
The review panel will be composed of representatives from Office of the Deputy Chief, PNP for Operations (TDCO) and will include representatives from the PNP Quad Staffs—comprising Operations, Investigation, Intelligence, and Police Community Relations—as well as the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) and the PNP Human Rights Office.
"This review panel will bring together the key components of our police force to ensure a comprehensive and balanced evaluation. We want to make sure that all perspectives are considered, especially those that relate to upholding human rights and maintaining strong community relations," Marbil said.
He said the guidelines outlining the functions of the review panel, along with the deadline for submitting its findings and recommendations, will be detailed in a memorandum to be issued soon.
“This is about continuous improvement and accountability. The insights we gain from this review will directly inform our recalibrated strategy, ensuring that our anti-illegal drugs campaign is not only effective but also aligned with the principles of justice and human rights," said Marbil.