PNP welcomes survey showing Pinoys see fewer drug abusers

The Philippine National Police (PNP) yesterday welcomed the recent survey by Social Weather Stations (SWS) showing 66 percent of Filipinos have seen a decrease in the number of illegal drug users in their communities.

PNP spokesman Senior Supt. Bernard Banac said the survey is proof the government’s war on illegal drugs is effective in solving the country’s narcotics problem.

“The high rating obtained proves that the continuing anti-illegal drugs campaign of the government is effective in convincing drug dependents to refrain from further using illegal drugs, and instrumental in reducing the total number of crimes nationwide, thereby creating a secure environment where people feel safe to live, work and do business,” Banac said in a statement.

Since President Duterte took office in July 2016, he unleashed a brutal campaign to rid the country of narcotics that leaving 5,050 suspected drug offenders dead, with police claiming the suspects resisted arrest.

Malacañang, through presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo, welcomed the SWS survey in saying it was a validation of the success of the Duterte administration’s campaign against illegal drugs.

Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV, however, took exception to Panelo’s statement.

“Since you’ve killed thousands of (drug) addicts without due process and without giving them the opportunity to be rehabilitated, isn’t it natural that number of addicts will be reduced?” Trillanes said.

“So, what are you celebrating, Mr. Panelo, the ruthlessness of your boss?” he remarked.

The survey, conducted from Dec. 16 to 19, 2018 and the results released Saturday, said 66 percent of the 1,440 respondents noticed a decrease in the number of illegal drug users in their communities.

Fourteen percent said it has increased and seven percent said it remained the same.