The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has recorded a 52 percent in the number of deaths in anti-illegal drugs operations under the administration of President Marcos.

In a statement, the PDEA reported that there were only 19 deaths recorded from  July 2022 to September 2023 compared to the 40 fatalities in 2020 to 2021.

“On top of these, the recent bulk seizures of 532 kilograms of shabu in Pampanga, 274 kilograms of shabu at the Manila International Container Port (MICP), and the 990 kilograms of shabu in the possession of PMSgt Rodolfo Mayo last year are indeed indicative of the continued efforts of the anti-drug campaign to target and combat large drug syndicates operating in the country,’’ PDEA noted.

Last Oct. 20, PDEA destroyed P5.97 billion worth of dangerous drugs and other substances at the Integrated Waste Management, Inc. in Trece Martires City, Cavite earning praises from Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos Jr.

However, PDEA said “sadly, some law enforcers entrusted with the implementation of the previous administration’s aggressive war on drugs, committed treacherous acts – a clear indication of failure.’’

“In 2019, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte himself admitted that his administration’s war on drugs is a failure, and that despite the relentless efforts, the country’s drug situation took a turn for the worse. Police became coddlers and protectors of illegal drug traders. The former President also feared that the nation might end up under the control of drug cartels,’’ PDEA added.

In a move initiated by Abalos, 953 third-level police commissioned officers submitted courtesy resignation letters as part of a massive internal cleansing program against law enforcers involved in illegal drug trafficking.

The five-man panel tasked with evaluating these senior officers concluded its investigation in April this year and the resignations recommended by the National Police Commission Chairman (NAPOLCOM) and the DILG Secretary in the investigative panel's final report were accepted by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The agency lamented that these substantial seizures and stringent internal cleansing among the ranks of drug law enforcers are testament that the government is actively pursuing high-level drug traffickers and organized criminal networks involved in the country’s illicit drug trade.

“With this, the PDEA asserts its firm stance of tightening the grip against drug networks while at the same time putting more emphasis and respect to dignity of human rights and rehabilitation of drug offenders,’’ the agency lamented.

The PDEA stressed that it shifted its strategy in line with President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr.’s anti-drug campaign thrust that is geared towards community-based rehabilitation, going after drug syndicates, and getting rid of unscrupulous government officials.