Since drug campaign started

Authorities nab 7,054

big drug personalities

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, September 28, (PIA)—Whoever asked why is it that only the small time drug personalities are caught, have’nt heard or read from the real sources.

A combined force of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the allies in the uniformed services has refuted the critics’ claims that this administration is only after the proverbial small fish in its drug war.

According to Presidential Communication Operations Office (PCOO) Chief of Staff for Brand Integration Karl Fajardo, the government has accosted 7,054 persons which are considered big fish in the illegal drugs industry.

Speaking during the PCOO Roadshow at the Bohol Island State University Activity Center September 25, Fajardo who spoke about Rehabinasyon: a holistic approach in eliminating the country’s drug problem that puts a premium on the rehabilitation of drug surrenderers, Fajardo bared data that were otherwise buried in a world where sensationalism and trivialities are weaponized to sway and distort public opinion against the administration. 

Since its campaign, the government has arrested 193,086 drug personalities since July 1 to June 30, 2019, according to the PDEA.

But over this, many people have mouthed the question critics have been asking: Why is it that only the small fry gets apprehended?

To that, Fajardo said, then what about the over a million drug users and pushers who peacefully came out in the open and admitted they have tried or are into drugs?

Earlier, Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Project manager Michael Miatari said of all countries in the world saddled with drug problems, it is only the Philippines that has successfully reported the surrender of hundreds of drug users and pushers in so short a time.

In his report to the Boholanos who attended the Roadshow that also tackled on the updates of the government’s drug war, Fajardo said, of the 7,054 high profile persons nabbed for drugs, 189 of them are foreign nationals and a senator.

Critics have alleged that the government is putting a hands-off policy for foreign nationals and politicians.

The data which Fajardo used was culled from reports of the DDB and the PDEA until June 30, 2019.

And when many believed local government officials especially the elected ones, who could spell and dictate the victory or defeat of politicians are untouchables, how about this: 282 elected officials from different local and national positions are now in jail or are facing suits for drugs?

Among the current inventory of persons accosted for drugs are 76 uniformed personnel in government service, 323 government employees and 8 are celebrities, PDEA reports bared.

The same report bared that since July 1, 206 to June 30, 2019, 5,526 drug personalities have died in anti drug operations, a fact that critics have used to vilify the administration’s human rights record.

According to the PCOO, President Rodrigo Duterte campaign against illegal drugs, has been used as a political tool by critics to undermine the administration.

But, in the records, from the more than a million surrenderers since 2018, there have been erroneously reported 8,933 incidents of murders of drug offenders.

Authorities however are quick to correct, among those cases were cases of homicide because the authorities have also the duty to defend themselves against armed suspects.

And of the 5,526 reported deaths, PCOO’s Fajardo pointed out that 2,731 of these cases are still investigated to determine if these are legitimate homicides or plain murder.

Despite all these claims, he said, the administration still enjoys a high trust rating especially in its campaign against drugs.

Eight out of ten Filipinos still trust President Duterte, a rating that he maintains and stands high compared to any of the previous presidents of the country, PCCO said. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)

BIG FISH. Contrary to popular belief that this Administration is only after the proverbial fry, PCOO Karl Fajardo bared the data on the more than 7 thousand drug personalities who are considered high profile and are currently facing drug suits.  Fajardo was among the speakers during the recent PCOO Roadshow at the BISU, Spetember 25. (rahc/PIA-7/Bohol)