PNP cites headway in anti-drug campaign

AROUND 11,000 barangays nationwide have been cleared of drugs as of January, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said in an update on Monday. Based on its data, 11,080 out of 42,044 barangays nationwide have been declared drug free since July 1, 2016, the second day of President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s administration which promptly began its drug war. But PNP Spokesperson Senior Supt. Bernard M. Banac said drugs still remain a threat. “Hindi naman natin inaalis na wala na talagang droga sa mga komunidad natin. Nariyan pa rin ang kanilang threat sa atin…. Kaya ang ating focus ngayon ay patuloy pa rin ang palakasin ang anti-illegal drugs awareness sa ating mga kababayan,” he said. (We cannot say that there are no more drugs in our communities. The threat is still there….That’s why our focus now is to continue strengthening our anti-illegal drugs awareness among our countrymen). A recent Social Weather Stations survey said 66% of Filipinos see fewer drug users. — Vince Angelo C. Ferreras