PDEA: Public impression on worsening drug situation is normal, but…

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Bureau of Customs officials and agents inspect some 300 kilos of  shabu from Vietnam worth an estimated P1.8 billion seized at the seized at the Manila International Container Port (MICP) earlier this month.  RICHARD REYES.

MANILA, Philippines – The impression of President Rodrigo Duterte and the public that the drug situation in the country is worsening is just “normal,” the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said on Wednesday.

“With the recent billions of pesos worth of illegal drug seized by PDEA and other law enforcement agencies, the President’s and even the ordinary people’s impression that the illegal drug operations are worsening is normal,” PDEA said in a statement sent through its spokesperson, Derrick Carreon.

The large shipments of illegal drugs seized in recent days, however, are “positive indicators” that the government is effective in implementing the campaign against narcotics, PDEA added.

In a television interview, PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino denied that the drug situation in the country is worsening.

He said that the statement of the President could only be his “first impression” since billions of pesos worth of illegal drugs are now being confiscated, more voluminous compared to previous years.

READ: PDEA chief opposes Duterte, PNP, says PH drug problem had not worsened

During a campaign sortie of the ruling Partido Demokratiko Pilipino – Lakas ng Bayan in Cagayan de Oro City, Duterte said that “things have worsened” and that the policemen are “at the brink of surrendering” in the war on drugs.

READ: Duterte: Drug problem in PH has ‘worsened’

The Philippine National Police (PNP) agreed with Duterte, but said that it will not give up its relentless campaign against illegal drugs.  / gsg

READ: PNP agrees with Duterte that Philippine drug situation has worsened