PNP chief downplays Bulacan drug war deaths

There is nothing unusual in the spate of killings of drug suspects in Bulacan, according to Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde.

Albayalde noted that the suspects were killed in simultaneous anti-drug operations across the province.

“They were not killed in one place... I think we should be concerned if four people were killed in just one area or barangay,” he told a television interview on Thursday.

Albayalde said Bulacan has 21 towns and three cities and a has a population of more than one million.

Six suspected drug dealers were killed in alleged shootouts with police offi- cers in Bulacan on Thursday. Nine others died in drug raids on Wednesday.

Police also reported 13 deaths each in March and April in less than 24 hours of police operations.

Albayalde said the simultaneous operations only show that the Bulacan police is implementing President Duterte’s directive to address the drug problem.

The PNP chief had earlier said the police still have a long way to go to end the drug menace, noting that not even 50 percent of the problem is solved two years after the government launched a war on drugs.

“In spite of our accomplishments, there are still arrests and encounters every day,” Albayalde said.

He said the illegal drug trade remains lucrative with minimal investment.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said a gram of shabu has a street value of P5,000.