MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has ordered the immediate destruction of confiscated illegal drugs to prevent these from being recycled and reintroduced into the streets, amid persistent concerns over the resurgence of narcotics in local communities.
In the latest episode of his BBM Podcast released Wednesday, the President said he had directed Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III to go after drug syndicates and intercept narcotics at the country’s entry points.
“Siyempre pumapasok pa rin yung shabu. Sabi ko continue to… Hulihin ninyo ‘yung malalaki tsaka puntahan ninyo kung saan pumapasok, yun ang isara natin. And we’re slowly doing that,” said Marcos.
He also ordered the PNP and the Philippine Coast Guard to monitor the country’s borders closely and ensure transparency and accountability in the disposal of seized drugs.
“Sinabi ko sa Coast Guard at saka sa PNP bantayan na ninyo kasi ayaw kong bumalik sa merkado yan. Sirain na ninyo kaagad as quickly as possible and make sure na nandun kayo para pag sinabing so many tons, ilang tonelada, yan talaga ang nandyan. Hindi nababawasan. Bilangin ninyo. Tapos buhusan nyo ng gasolina, sunugin na ninyo,” he emphasized.
The President acknowledged that while authorities are focusing on dismantling large-scale drug syndicates, small-time drug peddling remains a problem in barangays. He believes increasing police visibility and rapid response will deter community-level drug operations.
“We’re concentrating nga doon sa mga big-time drug syndicate, drug lord. May balita na bumabalik-balik sa mga bara-barangay, yung mga small-time. Kaya yung cops on the beat, that’s the solution to that,” he said.
“Kasi nagpa-patrolya sila. Kahit sino kung dealer, hindi ka naman siguro mapapaiwan doon na mahuhuli ka lang ng pulis. Mapapalayo natin sila na maitigil na nila ang kanilang ginagawa,” Marcos added./PN
