The government’s relentless campaign against illegal drugs has resulted in the death of 6,600 suspects, the arrest of 240,565 and the surrender of 1,283,409, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).
The data covers the period from July 2, 2016 to May 31, 2019.
The latest figures were announced yesterday by PNP chief Police General Oscar Albayalde in a command conference at Camp Crame.
In addition, the PNP disclosed that 12,177 of 42,045 barangays have been declared drug-free.
However, 282 barangays remain seriously affected by the drug menace, 10,835 moderately affected and 9,354 slightly affected.
Majority of the drug-affected barangays are in Bicol (Region 5) with 2,530 villages.
It was followed by Central Luzon (Region 3) with 2,342 barangays; Central Visayas (Region 7) with 2,293; Calabarzon (Region 4A) with 1,758; and Western Visayas (Region 6) with 1,717.
In Metro Manila, 1,515 barangays remain affected by the illegal drugs, the data showed.
Meanwhile, as of the first quarter of the year, authorities have already seized P32.42 billion worth of illegal drugs and laboratory equipment, according to a separate data from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
Police Colonel Bernard Banac, PNP spokesman, called on the public’s help in eliminating illegal drugs in the country.
“We are on track to significantly reduce, if not totally eliminate illegal drugs in the country. But more work needs to be done,” Banac said.
“The law enforcement, PNP or PDEA, cannot do it alone. We need the whole nation to work together and fight this menace,” he added.
The PNP spokesman noted the importance of a united family “so that children will be protected and taught well” to avoid illegal drugs.
“We need the schools and churches to impart knowledge and instill values. We need the local governments and barangays to synchronize and synergize all our drug prevention acts together. We need the media to help us inform the public,” he concluded. (Martin Sadongdong)
