Duterte listens to public sentiments on drug war

FILE: The sentiments of the public were the main consideration of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in his decision to let the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) take the lead on the “war on drugs”.

 (PCOO PHOTO)

MANILA — The sentiments of the public were the main consideration of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte in his decision to let the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) take the lead on the “war on drugs”.

This was the statement of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa.

Dela Rosa said the President was “frustrated” over the reaction of the public in the conduct of operations of the PNP in the war against illegal drugs that reflected in the Social Weather Stations survey results.

This was only a proof, he said, that President Duterte is not a dictator and that he is listening to the will of the public.

Hence, the PNP chief said, he “whole-heartedly” accepted the decision of the President and that he expressed his gratitude when he conversed with him.

He, however, admitted that they did not achieve the “total victory” in the war against illegal drugs.

But based on his assessment, Dela Rosa said, the PNP was “triumphant” because they were able to dismantle the drug laboratories in the country and the supply of drugs is now almost depleted.

The PNP chief noted that it was “very challenging” for them to have led the “war on drugs”.

Nevertheless, Dela Rosa said, the PNP had big contribution in the campaign against drugs wherein they have allotted 100 percent of their resources in order to stop the proliferation of illegal drugs in the country.