November 28, 2022
Manila – Law enforcement needs to take a step back under the Marcos administration’s new anti-illicit drugs campaign, which focuses on reducing demand and rehabilitating drug users, not killing them, says Ben-Hur Avalos The home secretary said on Friday.
President Marcos will lead the Metro Manila launch of the “Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan” (Bida or Take Care of Life, Reject Drugs) program at Quezon City Memorial Circle on Saturday. Held in Cebu City, Cagayan de Oro City, and Davao City.
According to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Bida is a nationwide anti-drug advocacy program involving local governments, central government agencies and other key sectors of society, with a focus on reducing drug demand and reintegrating into society. is placed. community.
According to Avalos, the illegal drug problem is a deep-rooted problem that continues to destroy relationships, families and the futures of young people, and it is time for all sectors of society to rise up and do their part through this problem. Come. beader program.
“We cannot fully campaign against illegal drugs. [in] At the hands of the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) because we are all affected here. We all need to do our part to stop this plague that is destroying young people,” he said in a statement on Friday.
Since Mr. Marcos took office in June, the PNP’s aggressive campaign against illegal drugs has resulted in the seizure of approximately P9.7 billion worth of various illegal drugs and the imposition of 22,646 drug charges in 18,505 anti-drug operations nationwide. person has been arrested.
Meanwhile, a total of 26,244 or 62.42% of a total of 42,046 barangays in the country are tagged as ‘drug cleared’ under the Barangay Drug Clearing Program, the government’s ‘countrywide’ approach to addressing the problem of illegal drugs. is attached. domestic drugs.
This was 3.48 percent higher than the 25,361 drug-free barangays last reported by former President Rodrigo Duterte’s former administration in June.
The ongoing drug war has left 46 dead, although fewer than in the first five months of Duterte’s administration. Of the murdered drug offenders, 32 of them died during police operations and 14 were killed by his PDEA agents. From July to November.
This campaign is legal
According to Avalos, the anti-narcotics campaign under the Marcos government is a pioneer of a different approach, “with respect for human rights and a focus on rehabilitation and socio-economic development within the framework of the law.”
According to Abalos, the program draws on best practices from local governments, government agencies and other partners to strengthen institutions for conducting drug reduction activities, encourage multisectoral participation, and strengthen national government agencies. and ensuring commitment from partner organizations and awareness through information, education and communication materials.
Local chief executives in the metropolitan area are also expected to read the unity statement to express their commitment to implement the Vida program objectives in their respective jurisdictions. Representatives of different sectors of society also have a program.
On Thursday, the director of the DILG instructed local governments to develop local anti-drug action plans down to the barangay level that address local government needs.
“Our anti-drugs campaign takes a whole-of-government approach. [local governments] Work with us to draft each [plans]said Abaloth.
Under DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2022-141, dated November 9, Abalos will encourage local Chief Executive Officers to develop anti-drug plans within 200 days of taking office to identify illegal drugs based on the local drug situation. Identified anti-drug programs and activities.