President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to go after major drug traffickers and swiftly destroy confiscated illegal drugs to prevent them from re-entering the streets.
In a recent podcast, Marcos Jr. acknowledged that the country’s drug problem persists and instructed PNP Chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III to focus on cutting off large-scale supply routes.
“We still have a drug problem in this country. Siyempre pumapasok pa rin ‘yung shabu. So, sabi ko, you (Torre) continue to – pero ‘yung hulihin ninyo ‘yung malalaki. At saka puntahan ninyo kung saan pumapasok. Iyon ang isara natin. And we’re slowly doing that,” he said.
The President also ordered the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to assist in intercepting drug smuggling attempts.
He emphasized the urgent destruction of seized narcotics. “Bantayan na ninyo kasi ayokong bumalik sa merkado ‘yan. Sirain na ninyo kaagad as quickly as possible. And make sure na nandoon kayo para ‘pag sinabing so many tons, ilang tonelada, ‘yun talaga ang nandiyan. Hindi nababawasan. Bilangin ninyo nang husto, tapos buhusan niyo ng gasolina, sunugin na ninyo.”
Recent drug busts have netted nearly 1,300 kilos of shabu worth over P8.7 billion, found floating off the coasts of several northern provinces.
While prioritizing large-scale operations, Marcos Jr. also urged police to stop small-time dealers from resurfacing in communities, citing foot patrols under the “Cops on the Beat” program as a key deterrent.IMT
