MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines is winning its war against illegal drugs.
Such was the claim of Philippine National Police chief Gen. Archie Gamboa on Monday, a week before President Rodrigo Duterte holds his fifth State of the Nation Address.
Gamboa claimed the government was able to reduce the number of drug users in the country, as well as confiscate large amounts of illegal drugs during operations.
“Generally, I would say yes we have won. As a matter of fact, we have actually reduced the number of users,” he said in an online press briefing.
If the government is winning the drug war, why are there still tons of illegal drugs being confiscated?
Gamboa answered: scarcity of market and apprehension of high-level targets.
“Partially, it’s the scarcity of market. They [drug dealers] were not able to market this during the COVID-19 situation,” he said.
“We have really launched and given enough support to pursue high level targets. These are the results now kung bakit mayroon tayong nakukumpiskang malakihang at bultu-bultong droga,” Gamboa added.
To support the police chief’s claim, PNP Directorate for Operations Maj. Gen. Emmanuel Licup said the government was able to confiscate about 6.5 tons of illegal drugs since the Duterte administration launched its bloody war against illegal drugs in 2016.
Over 217,000 operations have been also conducted wherein 337,000 individuals have been arrested, he added.
During the time of Gamboa as PNP chief, Licup said police have been focusing on high-value targets thus the high yield in confiscated drugs.
Of the 6.5 tons total of confiscated drugs, 2.2 tons or 34.% were seized during Gamboa’s tenure.
“Nag-concentrate sa high value targets, that’s why marami tayong huli na malakihan,” he said.