Double Barrel leaves 2,028 dead
Despite mounting criticism, the number of deaths in the Philippine National Police (PNP)’s anti- drug operations called “Oplan Double Barrel Alpha” continues to increase.
Latest figures released by the PNP-Public Information Office showed that from 2,004 deaths between July 1 and Dec. 1, the number of deaths of suspected drug personalities went up to 2,028 as of yesterday, or 24 drug suspects killed in a span of three days.
The PNP said the slain drug suspects refused to surrender peacefully and opted instead to fight it out
with authorities.
Alongside this figure are the summary executions of 2,777 drug personalities and other members of crime rings from July 1 to Nov. 30.
Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos, PNP-PIO chief, said policemen enforcing Oplan Double Barrel Alpha conducted a total of 37,626 anti-drug operations from July 1 to Dec. 3.
These operations not only resulted in the death of 2,028 suspected drug personalities but also in the arrest of 38,999 drug suspects and the surrender of 834,497 drug peddlers and users.
Carlos reported that since the launching of the anti-drug campaign in July until yesterday, the PNP has lost 17 personnel while 47 others were wounded in action.
Meanwhile, under Oplan Tokhang which is part of Oplan Double Barrel, policemen have visited 4,473,805 houses in a bid to prevent the proliferation of illegal drugs in communities nationwide.
PDEA recruitment
In a related development, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) yesterday announced the opening of the application process for those interested to join the organization as drug enforcers.
The move is in line with the intensified campaign of the government against illegal drugs.
PDEA director general Isidro Lapeña said they intend to recruit a new batch of drug enforcement officers who will undergo a six-month comprehensive training program at the PDEA Academy in Silang, Cavite next year.
“These applicants may well become potential reinforcements that will enhance PDEA’s stance and provide more teeth in ridding the country of the drug menace,” Lapeña said.
PDEA said applicants must be 21 to 35 years old, at least 5’2” in height for men and 5’ for women, holder of a baccalaureate degree, career service professional eligible and a board passer or qualified by the Civil Service Commission under special laws.
Lapeña said the applicants who will pass the screening process will take part in the six-month drug enforcement officer basic course prior to their deployment as agents.
The PDEA chief reiterated their plan to beef up their frontliners in the campaign against dangerous drugs.
New assignments
Meanwhile, Lapeña also announced the reorganization at the agency involving 11 officials.
“We firmly believe in the management principle of moving key people around to increase their interest level and motivation. In this way, the agency will maximize and harness the full utilization of its pivotal personnel,” she said.
Effective Dec. 1, six new regional directors will officially assume their posts: Juvenal Azurin for Region III; Edgar Apalla for the Cordillera Administrative Region; Archie Grande for Region IV-A; Jacquelyn de Guzman for Region IV-B; Emerson Margate for Region V and Bryan Babang for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Appointed as assistant regional directors were Mario Ramos (Region II), Zoilo Lachica Jr. (Region III), Gil Cesario Castro (National Capital Region) and Christian Frivaldo (Region V).
Lapeña also appointed Director Ronnie Cudia as assistant superintendent of the PDEA Academy.
“These reassignments went through the process of careful deliberation based on the officers’ competencies and field of expertise. This should be a development benefit for them as they are about to expose themselves to new knowledge, skills set and perspective, including unfamiliar terrain and bringing along best practices from previous years’ worth of accumulated experiences in the regions,” the PDEA chief said.
“PDEA is constantly on the move. These progressions across the agency should help address the self-imposed obligations made by President Duterte to the Filipino people, that is to stop the drug problem by all means that the law allows,” he added. –