The Philippine National Police reported yesterday that 1,138 drug personalities nationwide were killed in the implementation of “Oplan: Double Barrel” from July 1 to September 17 this year.
The PNP also reported that 17,319 drug personalities were arrested in 18,832 police operations in the same period.
Oplan: Double Barrel was launched by PNP chief, Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, to target both big-time and small-time drug pushers.
Dela Rosa had reported an 80 to 90 percent decrease in the supply of illegal drugs in the country since the start of intensified drug operations.
He also advised policemen not to break the momentum of the war on drugs since Duterte is expecting the drug menace to be eliminated in six months since he assumed office.
Meanwhile, after years of prohibition, armed policemen can now go inside malls especially in Metro Manila to conduct regular foot patrol after several bomb threats were reported in Metro Manila and other parts of the country following the Davao City blast that left 15 people dead.
Chief Supt. Camilo Cascolan, head of the Directorate for Operations of the PNP, said the move is a big boost for the PNP to fully secure malls compared in the past when they are only allowed in their vicinity.
“Generally, the PNP can now go inside. In police uniform and with firearms,” said Cascolan.
Armed policemen were not allowed inside malls in past due to robbery cases in which suspects would pose as policemen.
Aside from uniformed policemen, cops in civilian clothes are also allowed inside malls to maximize the peace and order duty of the PNP.
Cops in civilian clothes, Cascolan said, will conduct profiling of people inside malls. “Their targets are suspicious people roaming inside the malls. If they would see one, they would immediately approach them and invite them to the security room,” said Cascolan.
Casoclan said it is also against robbery and other crimes. He said coordination with mall security managers was also strengthened for the proper response of the police and security guards in any eventuality.
(Aaron B. Recuenco and PNA)