With the Philippine National Police (PNP) making a comeback to the administration’s campaign to eradicate illegal drugs, the organization wants to arrest suspects alive in their drug operations.
PNP Spokesperson Chief Superintendent Dionardo Carlos said that as a ‘professional organization,’ they follow the President’s order and directive, which prompted them to apply certain measures for a better performance in the drug war.
“’Yung full speed ahead but with extreme caution. Ibig sabihin po gusto po ni Chief PNP (Director General Ronald Dela Rosa), make all the necessary precaution to ensure that less bloody at mahuhuli nang buhay ang mga suspect (Meaning, the PNP Chief wants to make all the necessary precautions to ensure a less bloody war and to arrest suspects alive),” the PNP Spokesman said in an interview with DZMM.
In the same interview, he noted that they will be equipped with body cameras, as ordered by the President, and will focus on internal cleansing.
“Lalo na po dun sa mga pulis na gusto sabotihihin ang ating kampanya (Especially for those policemen who wish to sabotage our campaign),” he added.
Furthermore, Carlos said that these policemen are blinded by the money they can get from protecting those involved with illegal drugs.
Just yesterday, President Rodrigo Duterte signed a memorandum allowing the PNP to rejoin in drug operations. Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) will remain as the lead agency in the war on drugs, and all drug operations of PNP shall be coordinated with them.
According to Duterte, though PDEA has made significant changes, one factor was their lack of manpower, which the agency has been worried about upon their appointment in October.
Carlos further said, “Kakaunti po ang kanilang personnel ang gagawin po nay d’yan ay magiging active support sa PDEA (They have a fewer personnel, so what we will do is be an active support to the PDEA).”
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said, “They (PNP) will participate now, whereas in the past all of them cannot do anything.”
In contrary to Duterte’s six-month deadline for PDEA, it has only been almost two months since Dela Rosa ended Oplan Tokhang and Oplan Double Barrel in accordance with the President’s order of removing other agencies in his campaign against drugs.
(Read: Rody gives PDEA 6-month deadline on drug war)
(Read: PNP bids goodbye to ‘Tokhang’)
Earlier, the President gave hints of returning PNP in the drug operations scenes, which Dela Rosa welcomed.