Año vows intensified anti-drug campaign as lockdown eases

MANILA, Philippines —  Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said Tuesday that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Philippine National Police (PNP) would boost its anti-narcotics operations after the government eased quarantine protocols in Metro Manila.

“Habang lumuluwag na ang quarantine levels sa iba’t ibang panig ng bansa ay siya rin namang paghihigpit ng kampanya laban sa iligal na droga. The DILG and PNP will work double time in maintaining the drop of the crime rate in the country that was achieved during the stricter quarantine period,” Año said in a statement.

(As quarantine levels ease in some areas in the country, the campaign against illegal drugs will tighten. The DILG and PNP will work double time in maintaining the drop of the crime rate in the country that was achieved during the stricter quarantine period.)

Año said operations of drug syndicates were paralyzed and more tips about illegal drug operations were given to police operatives during the implementation of stricter quarantine.

The Interior Secretary said he hopes that more citizens would turn away from illegal drugs, noting that money should be used for essentials, especially during the coronavirus disease pandemic.

“Ipagpatuloy ninyo ang physical distancing sa mga llegal drug pushers. Gamitin ninyo ang inyong pera sa pangangailangan ng inyong pamilya ngayong apektado ang hanapbuhay at ekonomiya dahil sa COVID-19 crisis,” Año said.

(Continue physical distancing with illegal drug pushers. Use the money for the needs of your family as the economy and workforce is affected by the COVID-19 crisis.)

PNP records showed that 49,648 drug suspects were arrested while policemen seized 812,474.36 kilograms of shabu (crystal meth) worth P5.524 billion from October 14, 2019 to May 23, 2020.