MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. stated on Tuesday that the Philippines is making headway in combatting illegal drugs, highlighting his administration’s distinct approach to tackling the issue.
In his discussions with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin, Germany, Marcos expressed that the adjusted anti-narcotics campaign appears to be yielding results, despite the ongoing challenge of illegal drug proliferation in the Philippines.
“It’s a big problem, but our approach has changed significantly,” Marcos told Scholz after the latter inquired on his approach to illegal drugs in relation to the previous administration.
“I diametrically opposed to handling the drug problem in that way, by confrontation, by violence and it really requires so much, much deeper understanding on the problem and the much deeper solution. So, yes, I think that we are also progressing when it comes to that,” he added.
Marcos highlighted the decline in instances of illegal drug activities in the Philippines due to the intensified anti-narcotics efforts.
He further mentioned that part of the reforms includes restructuring the Philippine National Police (PNP) to remove officers implicated in “some of the more questionable practices” that occurred during the previous administration.
“We are starting to move them out, and some of them have already been tried and convicted, now in jail and serving their time. It’s a difficult problem because it’s the money involved is so much that it’s hard for the government to compete with the kind of money that’s been thrown around by the drug lords,” Marcos said.
According to data from the PNP as of January 2024, approximately 65 police officers were discharged for testing positive for illegal drug use, while another 43 were dismissed for their involvement in illegal drug activities.
Additionally, the PNP reported seizing narcotics valued at around PHP10.4 billion in 2023 and clearing drug influence from 27,968 villages nationwide.
Furthermore, through conducting over 44,000 anti-illegal drug operations, approximately 56,495 suspects were apprehended.
The approach of the Marcos administration to combatting illegal drugs now prioritizes rehabilitation, reintegration, and preventive education initiatives, particularly targeting the youth.
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