PNP: 35 cops die in anti-drugs war

A total of 35 policemen have been killed since the start of the aggressive anti-drugs war of the Duterte administration in July last year which pitted various units of the Philippine National Police (PNP) against the most money, most influential, and most dangerous of drug syndicates in the country.

Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos, PNP spokesman, said the latest figures covering July 1 to January 11 also revealed that 77 policemen having been wounded in various operations nationwide. It also showed that these operations resulted in the death of 2,221 suspected drug pushers and users.

“This only shows that our anti-illegal drugs campaign is very serious,” said Carlos.

But Carlos said some of those police fatalities are still subject for validation.

Crucial partnership In Malacañang, President Duterte is seeking a crucial partnership with local government executives on efforts to combat drugs and criminality and hasten reforms in the country.

Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar stressed the need for cooperation of the local government units a day after President Duterte held a “heart to heart” meeting with the country’s mayors in Malacañang last Wednesday.

“Addressing the problems in society, the problem of drugs, the problem of terrorism are not just the job of the police, military and the President. To hasten the solution of these problems, we also need the help of local government executives, the mayors,” Andanar said in Filipino during a radio interview.