By: Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos
Malacañang has said that there is a strong possibility that the Philippine National Police will once again assume the lead role in the war against drugs, after President Duterte said that he is considering the possible return of the police in the campaign if the drug problem worsens.
“As of now, just to parry, nilagay ko muna sa PDEA. Whether I like it or not, I have to return that power to the police because surely it will increase the (drug) activity,” Duterte said before soldiers in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija.
According to presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, the possibility of the PNP returning to the drug campaign is strong since it has been announced by the President.
Duterte turned over the sole authority in the campaign to PDEA as a result of mounting public criticisms against the PNP over drug-related killings. The Chief Executive said he would return the war against drugs to the PNP if PDEA fails to address the illegal drug trade.
“Well, I think a decision will soon be made. So I guess that’s the latest – that is the latest pronouncement of the President,” Roque said. “There is now a very strong likelihood that it could be returned to the PNP,” he added.
Roque said an evaluation of the PDEA’s accomplishments in its barely two-month campaign lies with the President. “The President’s call. If he thinks it must be returned, then it must be that the PDEA has been given enough time,” he said.
“I think we need to accept what the President has said. He does not want the problem to worsen. Effectively, he has manifested already a decision to return it to the PNP,” Roque said.
Roque said Duterte must not be satisfied with the PDEA in the campaign. “He must not be satisfied. He wants more.”
Roque added that the President trusts the PNP despite the Chief Executive’s plan to reform the agency, completely, to remove scalawags or rotten cops.
The PDEA has welcomed Duterte’s decision to bring back the PNP in the drug war but hoped that the PNP would change their guidelines.
The PNP said that they are ready to retake the drug campaign.
