Bloodless but productive is how the aggressive campaign against illegal drugs should be, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Thursday, July 30, after the government reported around P122 billion confiscated illegal drugs since July 2022.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio C. Nartatez, Jr. said the drug haul in the past four years, coupled with the arrest of more than 206,000 drug suspects, was a result of the stronger coordination among law enforcement agencies with emphasis on evidence-based and rights-based approach in the government's anti-illegal drug campaign.
“The challenge four years ago is whether or not an effective and successful anti-illegal drugs campaign anchored on the rule of law and human rights is possible. We in the PNP proved it, we learned a lot from it, and in strong coordination with other agencies, we will continue marching on,” said Nartatez.
Earlier, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) reported that authorities seized P122.53 billion worth of illegal drugs from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2026 in various nationwide operations in close coordination with the PNP and other law enforcement agencies.
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jonvic Remulla earlier said that the illegal drugs campaign gains are significantly higher compared to the past administration with P91 billion worth of illegal drugs seized for six years.
Nartatez cited the strong partnership between the PNP and the PDEA in intelligence sharing and operational coordination, “Our strong partnership and sustained cooperation with other law enforcement agencies have contributed to curbing the operations of drug syndicates.”
Nartatez said the PNP will continue to locate and dismantle drug dens across the country, with the end goal of paralyzing the syndicates' operational capability in the country but stressed that police operations against illegal drugs will remain anchored on evidence, due process, and accountability.