Recognizing the looming danger and criminality related to the use of illegal drugs and urgency to rid it off from society in the earliest opportunity, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin “Boying” C. Remulla vowed to step up the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) fight against illegal drugs by intensifying its collaborative efforts with other government/law enforcement bodies.
This, as President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. met with officials from the DOJ, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and Philippine National Police (PNP) to formulate strategies on how to strengthen the country’s fight vs. dangerous narcotics and other illicit substances.
To recall, an earlier report submitted by the PNP to President Marcos showed that the total number of crimes recorded from July 1, 2022 to January 31,2024 has plummeted down to 324,368 which is 10.66 percent lower than the 363,075 crimes logged between December 1, 2020 and June 30, 2022.
These crimes which dipped down in number are categorically considered as drug-related crimes and despite the present administration’s significant victory against the menace of dangerous drugs, the DOJ promises to keep its foot on the gas in continuously finding ways to effectively combat the perpetrators behind them.
Most importantly, the Secretary promises to intensify the fight against illegal drugs without compromising basic human rights and respect for the dignity of every individual as emphasized by President Marcos himself during his previous SONA that extermination was never part of the administration’s anti-illegal drug campaign.
Moreover, Secretary Remulla vowed to give his full support to the Department of the Interior and Local Government's (DILG) call to focus the government's anti-illegal drug campaign on the supply side rather than the consumer side.
To add to this, the Secretary has ordered the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) to expedite the transfer of detained high profile drug personalities to regional prison facilities to cut the alleged continuous production of illicit substances within the national penitentiary.
"Speed up the planned transfer of illegal drug convicts to our regional prisons, you have our full support," the Secretary directed BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang, Jr.
“The DOJ pledges to continue stepping up its collaborative efforts with other government agencies to combat illegal drugs and keep our communities safe. Let me take this opportunity to reiterate that the DOJ is one with the present administration’s 'Bloodless Drug War' and we will always bring our A game in fighting the drug menace by steadfastly upholding the Rule of Law,” Secretary Remulla emphasized.
