Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 23) — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said on Thursday it welcomes President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision to bring the Philippine National Police back to the war against illegal drugs.
“It has been the desire of PDEA that PNP will return in the fight against illegal drugs,” it said in a statement.
Duterte ordered the PDEA to take over the drug war from the Philippine National Police on October 11, amid allegations of abuses and extrajudicial killings, including the death of teenagers Kian Delos Santos, Carl Arnaiz, and Reynaldo De Guzman.
Since taking the helm at drug operations, the PDEA has aired its logistical problems, especially with the lack of manpower within the agency.
“PDEA has repeatedly admitted that it is undermanned, under budget and under equipped, hence, the need for other law enforcement agencies particularly the PNP,” it said.
Almost a month after the turnover of drug operations, Duterte said the police may “enter the picture” once again if the problem gets worse.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque also said the President may have manifested the decision as he was unsatisfied with the PDEA’s performance.
“Because the President returned it, he must not be satisfied. He wants more,” Roque said.
Despite PDEA’s limitations, the agency’s spokesman Derrick Carreon said PDEA stepped-up its efforts.
“Sabi nga po ni Director General Aaron Aquino, in fact, mas lalong makakatulong ito so that balik sila sa kanilang mandato sa street level, samantalang kami naman po, ipagpapatuloy namin ang high value targets and conducting high impact operations,” Carreon said.
[Translation: As Director General Aaron Aquino said, in fact, it will be more beneficial to give the street level operations back to the police, while the PDEA continues to target high value targes and conducting high impact operations.]
According to the PDEA, the agency has conducted 1,546 drug operations from October 11 to November 20, which has led to the arrest of 469 drug personalities and the death of only one drug suspect.
It has seized illegal drugs worth P62.55 million.
PNP deputy spokesperson Supt. Chai Madrid, meanwhile, said the police is prepared to once again perform anti-illegal drugs operations, but promised to veer away from the bloody implementation that has been criticized by several human rights groups.
“Yes. Talaga namang iniiwasan natin yun. Kaya lang, sa simula nga sinasabi ni Chief, PNP na kung magiging at-risk din ang buhay ng isang police officer, talagang we are to defend also,” Madrid said.
[Translation: Yes, we are really avoiding a bloody drug war. However, as PNP chief Ronald Dela Rosa said, if a police officer’s life becomes at risk, the we are to defend also.]
