PNP: NCR, 4 other regions still with ‘high presence’ of illegal drugs

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) revealed Monday that five regions remain highly infested by the illegal drug trade.

National police spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said these regions would be prioritized to receive the 2,700 body cameras that PNP wants to provide to its men on the ground, especially to anti-drug police officers, by 2020.

“Bibigyan ng prioridad ang mga lugar na mataas pa rin ang presence ng ilegal na droga, kabilang na ang (Priority will be given to areas that still have high presence of illegal drugs, including) NCR (National Capital Region), Region 3, Region 4A, Region 7, and Region 6,” he said in a press briefing.

“‘Yan ang mga identified na lugar kung saan patuloy pa rin tayong nakakasabat ng mga ilegal droga, meaning nariyan pa rin ang supply at ‘yung presensya ng high-value targets ay nariyan pa rin (These are the identified areas where we still confiscate illegal drugs, which means drug supply and high-value targets are still present),” he added.

PNP wants to finish the procurement process for body cameras by the end of the year to ensure transparency in police operations, especially in anti-drug raids.

The body cameras, which cost P334 million, will allow “real-time recording” of the actions of the police and suspects, according to Banac.

He said President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the PNP to hasten the procurement process for body cameras so that they can already use it in their duties.

“Pinapamadali na ito ng Pangulo. Binigyan tayo ng taning na December 10 na tapusin ang procurement na ito upang magamit na agad ang body cameras sa anti-drug operations,” he said.

(The President wants us to hasten it. He gave us a deadline to finish the procurement on December 10 so that we can already use the body cameras in anti-drug operations.)

Edited by KGA