PNP chief Dela
Rosa says, 'Our fearless forecast is that by January 1, we will eliminate 70%
to 90% of drugs'
FIGHTING DRUGS. PNP chief Ronald
dela Rosa pose with locals in Legazpi. Photo by Rhaydz Barcia.
LEGAZPI CITY,
Philippines – Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said on Friday,
September 16, the Philippines was heading toward a doomsday scenario without a
stronger war on drugs.
Dela Rosa said
this during a press conference at Camp General Simeon Ola on Friday, September
16.
The director
general said the past 3 decades have seen the country run by narcopolitics,
with numerous politicians winning in past elections through the support of
powerful drug lords.
These drug
lords operating in the country are also involved in illegal gambling, explained
Dela Rosa.
Dela Rosa cited
one prosecutor whom he said receives P600 million annually from drug lords,
with the money being deposited to his bank account. He also said some of these
drug lords still threaten judges despite being behind bars.
He added that
many elected mayors in the country won in the past elections due to financial
support from drug lords.
“Many
politicians in the country won in the past elections due to drug money from
drug lords. Narcopolitics is taking place in our country, like in the case of
Lanao, wherein numerous mayors admitted that they won because of drug money,”
he said.
Dela Rosa also
pointed to cops from Regions 6 and 7 receiving bribes from drug lords. These
cops, he pointed out, are now assigned to Maguindanao.
He also
explained that under the helm of President Rodrigo Duterte, some 720,000 out of
a total of 1.8 million Filipinos on drug watch lists have surrendered to the
Philippine National Police's Oplan TokHang and double-barreled drug-fighting
campaign.
High expectations
The police, according
to Dela Rosa, is trying its best to eradicate drug operations within 6 months.
Said Dela Rosa,
“The expectation of Filipino people is so high and I (would) feel guilty if we
cannot accomplish our target to get rid of the drug menace in the country."
He admitted,
however, that they even if they could not totally eliminate drugs, they could
drastically reduce it by 90% by January of next year.
“Our fearless
forecast is that by January 1, we will eliminate 70% to 90% of drugs," he
said.
Dela Rosa added
the two-month period alone under President Duterte's leadership has brought
tremendous gains in the campaign against illegal drugs.
“In the war
against drugs, let us continue even stronger for the next 4 months. We cannot
afford to let our guard down. So in our fight against illegal drugs, don’t let
the enemy hit you. Stay alive to survive because there is no Commission on
Human Rights that will feed your family and send your children to school,” the
country’s top cop said.
Dela Rosa vowed
to support his men thoroughly in their fight against illegal drugs but also
asked them to reform, to do their work with professionalism, and to observe
courtesy and human rights.
“Many cops are involved in drugs. This is the time for us to
reform. As chief of the PNP, I’ll be a good father to you, I’ll take care of
you, and we will support you all the way but be good sons,” the top cop said. – Rappler.com
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