MANILA – Following the report of the Philippine National Police (PNP) that it had confiscated some PhP10.4 billion worth of narcotics in 2023 and clearing large number of barangays of drug influence, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. expressed elation on the government’s successes in the fight against illegal drugs at the grassroots level.
“Na-ireport ng PNP na we have successfully confiscated an estimated 10.4 billion pesos worth of illegal drugs in 2023. Masasabi natin na 27,968 na barangay ay naideklara na na drug-cleared,” President Marcos said in a video message, as the reported the government anti-illegal drugs campaign.
“Magandang progreso ito sa grassroots level dahil ang mga barangay ay pag nasabi natin ay cleared ‘yan, madali nang i-monitor at maayos na ang patakbo doon. Siyempre, lagi rin natin tinitingnan ‘yung rehab— ‘yung prevention na hindi na pumasok ‘yung mga kababayan natin sa masasamang ugali tungkol dito sa drugs at kung sino man ang nasubo na ay bibigyan natin ng tulong sa pamamagitan ng mga rehabilitation center,” the President stated.
The national government has made inroads in addressing illegal drugs at the local level and worked with 50 provinces, 1,160 municipalities, and 30 cities in implementing the Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ADACs).
“Nakapaggawa tayo ng 74 in-patient treatment and rehabilitation facilities to provide a path to recovery for those who want to break free from their addiction,” Marcos said.
In addition to confiscating drugs valued at about P10.4 billion from January to December 2023 and clearing drugs from over 27,000 barangays, the PNP reported that it also arrested 56,495 suspects after conducting more than 44,000 anti-illegal drug operations.
The recent achievements of the administration can be attributed to President Marcos’s new approach for combating illegal drugs by focusing on rehabilitation, reintegration, and preventive education programs specifically for the youth.
