Bato: Cops at risk in fight vs drugs

MANILA – Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ronald Dela Rosa said Tuesday that even the lives of the policemen are on “clear danger” during anti-illegal drugs operations.

Since the implementation of the Oplan Double Barrel on July 1, nine police personnel and three members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines were killed in action while 18 cops and eight soldiers were wounded.

“This is just to illustrate that there is indeed a clear danger on the lives of our men in the operations against illegal drugs,” he said during his presentation at the second day of the Senate investigation on extrajudicial killings.

The PNP’s Oplan Double Barrel aims to clear all drug affected barangays nationwide from illegal drugs personalities and dismantle drug syndicates.

In its update, the PNP

said that from July 1 to August 22, a total of 629,139 drug users and 44,839 drug pushers have turned themselves to the authorities, while 11,784 users and peddlers were arrested.

Dela Rosa said 756 alleged drug suspects were killed in police operations while 1,160 were killed outside police operations, including those bodied found in several areas with cardboard telling they are involved in illegal drugs.

On the possible lapses of the PNP officers in the conduct of police operations, Dela Rosa assured that they also undergo investigation.

Dela Rosa said aside from their campaign against illegal drugs, they are also working in cleaning their own ranks.

He said 284 policemen were re-assigned due to their alleged involvement on illegal drugs, while 11 PNP members linked to drugs were killed and 20 were arrested in police operations.

Earlier, the PNP said 130 cops tested positive for illegal drugs, adding that six administrative and seven criminal charges have been filed against the concerned personnel.