PNP lauds survey showing public support to anti-illegal drugs campaign

FILE: Philippine National Police personnel on December 31 at the National Headquarters (Photo: Philippine National Police/Facebook)

MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday lauded the results of the latest Pulse Asia survey showing majority of Filipinos support the government’s anti-illegal drugs campaign, describing it as the public’s recognition of their efforts to ensure peace and order in the country.

“We are grateful for this recognition of the efforts of the PNP in the anti-drug campaign, particularly during the 15-month period when we launched Oplan Tokhang and Project: Double Barrel,” PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. Dionardo Carlos said in a statement.

Carlos said the PNP dedicated this feat in memory of the policemen who died while fulfilling their duties in compliance with President’s Rodrigo Duterte’s marching orders to curb the illegal drug trade in the country.

According to Pulse Asia’s Nationwide Survey on the Campaign Against Illegal Drugs released last month, 88 percent of Filipinos support the campaign against illegal drugs.

In the same survey, 86 percent of respondents said anti-drug operations in barangays were orderly while 11 percent of respondents said such operations were violent.

The PNP, meanwhile, assured the availability of police witnesses and pieces of evidence in court proceedings for the prosecution of cases against some 109,000 drug offenders arrested in over 71,000 separate police anti-drug operations.

“Court duty is paramount among all other police duties except combat or tactical engagement,” Carlos said.

Carlos also reiterated its support to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) through “police visibility as deterrent to drug activities, drug-related intelligence and information, as well as all records of pending anti-drug cases filed in court for proper monitoring and endorsement”.

This is in response to President Duterte’s memorandum ordering PDEA to take the lead in conducting anti-illegal drugs operations in the country. (PNA)