PNP chief:  War on drugs winning … but I’m tired

PNP Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa. JULLIANE LOVE DE JESUS/INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

MANILA — The government is winning the war against illegal drugs with more people now saying they feel safe in their neighborhoods during the first 100 days of the Duterte administration, according to Director General Ronald Dela Rosa of the Philippine National Police.

De la Rosa said the PNP’s anti-illegal drug campaign to dismantle drug supply not only at the street level but also at the higher echelons of society had the support of most people.

“I’m very proud to say that despite all the criticisms and noises, extrajudicial killings and summary killings accusations against me and the PNP, things like that, still we face our mission with more courage because I know that we are working for the people,” the PNP chief said.

He said he had been going around Metro Manila and nearby provinces to ask people if they felt safe in their communities, which used to experience high crime rates.

He admitted though that the campaign had also taken its toll on his well-being.

“I feel it’s already three years, taking a heavy toll on my body.  I feel very tired,” he said.

He cited the 720,000 drug users who surrendered and 22,000 others who were caught in buy-bust operations since July as proof that extra-judicial killings were not a recourse in the drug campaign.

“When you hit drugs, when you neutralize the drug problems, it follows that criminality rates will go down. So (you are) hitting two birds in one stone,” he said.

De la Rosa said he was pleased that President Duterte had tapped the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the PNP’s anti-drug efforts, particularly in the countryside.

“That’s how big the anti-drug operation is. It’s nationwide. So what do you expect? This is war. So there will be fatalities,” he said.

De la Rosa said there would be casualties in the war on drugs although the number of those killed should not be the only gauge for its success.

“To a certain degree, we have achieved our objective to give our people safe communities. Criticisms …it’s part of the game. You cannot satisfy everyone. You cannot win them all,” he said.  SFM