33 elected officials among 1,121 HVTs arrested in 2020 — PDEA

PDEA BUDGET PRESENTATION: Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Wilkins M. Villanueva, during Tuesday’s hybrid hearing of the Finance Subcommittee C on the proposed 2021 budget of the agency, says out of 42,045 barangays nationwide, 19,876 have already been cleared of illegal drugs. Villanueva said that presently, there are about four million drug users, 117 local drug groups and 3,625 target-listed drug personalities. Joseph Vidal/Senate PRIB

MANILA, Philippines — Anti-drug enforcers have so far arrested over 1,000 high-value targets this year, including 33 elected officials and 11 uniformed personnel.

During the Senate hearing on the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Director General Wilkins Villanueva said 1,121 high-value targets were nabbed from January to July in 2020.

Based on the table Villanueva presented to senators, the arrested high-value targets included 33 elected officials, 11 uniformed personnel, 54 government employees and 57 foreign nationals.

Those apprehended also included 16 drug group leaders or members, one armed group member and one celebrity.

Authorities also arrested 29 personalities under the wanted list,  364 from the target list and 108 drug den maintainers.

Some 447 high-value targets were also apprehended during high-impact operations.

Drug-cleared barangays

Meanwhile, Villanueva also reported to senators that 19,876 barangays across the country have been cleared from drugs since 2016.

The PDEA chief said there are still 14,491 drug-affected barangays or 34.47 percent of 42,045 barangays in the country.

EDV