More than 600 people are already dead while at least 8,600 others are now in jail as the government brought the anti-illegal drugs war from the very dangerous streets of metropolis to the airconditioned rooms of local executives and even police generals.
And amid fears that the anti-drugs operations would always result in violence, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has offered some tips if you or any member of your family are included in the drug list.
“First of all, people should do away with the mentality that policemen are out to harm them,” said Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos, PNP spokesman.
“As public servants in charge of the peace and order, it us, of all people, who want every conflict to be resolved in a peaceful way, with zero casualty if possible,” he added.
This is the reason, according to Carlos, why they have been spending a lot of time visiting the houses of all suspected drug users and pushers across the country.
As of the last count, the PNP has already visited a total of 324,222 houses across the country under its Project Double Barrel – which aims to target street-level pushing and high-value targets at the same time.
A total of 576,176 drug pushers and users, on the other hand, have already surrendered so far, based on the PNP data.
Carlos said all of their uniformed personnel have an instruction to be courteous at all times and as such, those who are subject of the house visitation should also do the same. “Lahat naman nadadaan sa magandang usapan,” said Carlos. (Aaron B. Recuenco)