177 Metro cops face drug charges

A total of 177 police officers in Metro Manila have been charged with drug-related offenses that include planting of evidence, unlawful arrest and excessive violence under a more intensified antidrug campaign focusing on law enforcers, according to President Marcos.

The government, through the Department of Justice, also pursued 151,818 drug-related court cases between 2022 and 2023, with 121,582 offenders already in jail, he said in a video message posted on his social media pages on Monday.

“For us this is not only for [getting] good numbers. We are preventing our youth from entering a lifestyle of drug-taking,” Mr. Marcos added.

Barangay clearing operations

The Philippine National Police earlier reported to the President the seizure of about P10.41 billion worth of drugs in 2023 and the clearing of 27,968 out of the country’s 42,027 barangays from drugs.

The clearing operations were jointly conducted by the Department of the Interior and Local Government, Dangerous Drugs Board, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the PNP.

The PNP said that it also arrested 56,495 suspects after conducting more than 44,000 anti-illegal drug operations last year

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In a separate statement, Malacañang said that 23 provinces, 447 municipalities and 43 cities had formulated their respective community-based drug rehabilitation programs as of Dec. 27 last year.

It also reported that around 50 provinces, 1,160 municipalities and 30 cities had formed their antidrug abuse councils while around 74 inpatient treatment and rehabilitation facilities had also been put up.

The Marcos administration has been implementing a new approach to address illegal drugs by focusing on rehabilitation, reintegration and preventive education programs specifically for the youth. INQ