MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Tuesday declared that his administration’s “bloodless” approach to the anti-illegal drugs campaign is producing tangible results, citing the largest drug haul in the country’s history as a sign that the strategy is working.
In an interview after inspecting over P8.8-billion worth of seized shabu at the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) headquarters, Marcos reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to a non-violent crackdown on narcotics, a sharp pivot from the controversial and bloody drug war under his predecessor.
“We must continue the war against drugs but… we do it in a peaceful way,” the President said. “It has been described as a bloodless war on drugs and that is what we are aiming for. Nonetheless, despite the fact that we do not kill people that are just suspected of having anything to do with drugs, imbes na ganon ang ginagawa natin, we are handling the drug problem in a different way.”
He said the administration is hitting the illegal drug trade both at the top and at the grassroots level. “We are beginning to see the good effects of the new policy,” Marcos noted.
According to PDEA, a total of 1,304.604 kilograms of shabu with an estimated street value of P8,871,307,200 is scheduled for destruction through thermal decomposition in Capas, Tarlac.
The illegal drugs were reportedly intercepted in various coastal areas including Zambales, Pangasinan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and Cagayan.
“So, what we will do now ay titiyakin natin ang proper disposal nitong mga drogang ito para hindi babalik sa black market. Hindi babalik sa street market. Para hindi na lalabas, sisirain na natin,” Marcos emphasized./PN
