PNP mulls creation of ‘superbody’ to oversee drug war

Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa, officer-in-charge of the Philippine National Police. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is considering the creation of a “superbody” that will “oversee and undertake” all drug operations and other policies in the drug war, three years since the Duterte administration launched the bloody campaign.

Lt. Gen. Archie Gamboa, officer-in-charge of the PNP, cited a proposal from Senate President Vicente Sotto III about establishing such body in the police force.

“Pinag-aaralan din namin ‘yun [We are also studying that]. Probably in the next command conference in November we are going to propose that,” he said in an interview with DZMM on Tuesday.

According to Gamboa, the said “superbody” will also oversee changes in policies in the campaign against illegal drugs, recommend possible changes in laws concerning anti-drug police operations, and implement measures to downgrade the demand for drugs and rehabilitation for drug suspects.

“Kung may isang [If there is a] body that will oversee everything, then ang [the] direction ng [of the] campaign against illegal drugs is in all sectors na pwede natin gamitin [that we can use],” he said. /jpv