PNP also wants drug suspects arrested alive: spokesman

The Philippine National Police (PNP) (Photo: Philippine National Police/ Facebook)

MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) respects public opinion on the need for drug suspects to be arrested alive, as shown in a recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey, its spokesperson said Friday

“The PNP is one with the Filipino people who want drug suspects to be captured alive. In the focused campaign against illegal drugs from July 1, 2016 to Sept. 30, 2017, the PNP conducted 71,393 anti-drug operations that resulted in the arrest of 109,090 drug offenders, who are alive and facing criminal charges in court,” Chief Supt. Dionardo Carlos said in a statement.

“Similarly, Oplan ‘Tokhang’ held 8,794,120 house visitations nationwide that resulted in 1,260,196 drug personalities who voluntarily surrendered to authorities and were accorded the opportunity to change and assistance be extended to them,” he added.

Carlos said it clearly shows that the PNP values the right to live of these victims of illegal drugs.

“The drug suspects who surrendered and were arrested alive comprise the approximate 99.98 percent results of the PNP’s campaign against illegal drugs,” he said.

The SWS survey results showed that 90 percent of 1,200 adults nationwide, interviewed last June 23-26, said it is important to capture illegal drug suspects alive.