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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Bloodless drug war: 81 street-level pushers arrested in 3-day Metro Manila operations

Bloodless drug war: 81 street-level pushers arrested in 3-day Metro Manila operations

Published May 24, 2025 10:42 am

At A Glance

  • NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Anthony A. Aberin said the series of operations from May 20 to 23 also led to the confiscation of around P9.1 million worth of illegal drugs.

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) arrested a total of 81 suspected street-level drug pushers during a three-day operation in Metro Manila that marked a recalibrated drive against illegal drugs to complement the campaign against top level pushers and illegal drugs syndicates.  

NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Anthony A. Aberin said the series of operations from May 20 to 23 also led to the confiscation of around P9.1 million worth of illegal drugs.

“We are taking the fight directly against the enemies in the frontlines-the street-level pushers. These people poison our streets with illegal drugs and NCRPO vows to hunt them down, with the full force of the law,” said Aberin, citing President Marcos’ order to sweep the streets of pushers but in accordance with the existing laws and police operational procedures. 

“These decisive actions underscore the NCRPO’s untiring commitment to safeguarding communities and dismantling the drug trade at its roots,” he added.

Based on the NCRPO data, the highest number of arrests was recorded by the Southern Police District (SPD) with 25 suspects, followed by the Eastern Police District (EPD) with 16, and the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) with 18. 

The Northern Police District (NPD) and Manila Police District (MPD) also reported 12 and 10 arrests, respectively.

One of the most significant arrests was that of two newly identified high-value individuals, both 18-year-old females, nabbed by the Eastern Police District’s District Drug Enforcement Unit (EPD-DDEU) in a buy-bust operation in Pasig City. 

The suspects were caught in possession of 792.44 grams of shabu, concealed in various plastic containers and pouches. 

Police have been using street-level pushers to spill the beans as to the sources of their illegal drugs and in some cases, these would result in a bigger operation targeting high-value targets.

“These coordinated operations not only led to the removal of dangerous drugs from communities but also disrupted emerging supply chains operated by youth and small-time pushers, a reflection of how the drug menace continues to evolve and penetrate even unsuspecting segments of society,” said Aberin.

“The NCRPO remains firm in its dedication to the mandate of the Chief Executive — to rid communities of the drug menace and secure every Filipino’s right to peace, safety, and a future free from the grip of addiction, while upholding human rights and dignity,” he added.

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