THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) yesterday reported a 95 percent decrease in the number of drug personalities who died in the campaign against illegal drugs during the first 18 months of the Marcos administration compared to the previous Duterte administration.
PDEA spokesman Atty. Joseph Frederick Calulut said 3,968 drug personalities died during the first 18 months of former President Duterte’s administration from July 1, 2016 to December 31, 2017.
“Now, if we compare that to July 1, 2022 to December 31, 2023, it’s just 195. So this is a 95 percent decrease,” said Calulut, referring to the drug personalities slain during the administration of President Marcos Jr.
Calulut said the number of deaths during the Marcos administration was 3,773 less compared to the past administration.
“These (195) are drug personalities who died during police operations,” said Calulut. “Our personnel tried to protect themselves (leading to the death of 195 suspects).”
Calulut attributed the decrease to the shift in the strategy in the war against illegal drugs under the Marcos administration.
“The (operations) of PDEA now are human rights-based,” said Calulut.
Calulut said the campaign also gives primacy to the rehabilitation of drug dependents while maintaining the intensity of supply reduction efforts, which he said is focused on “high-value targets.”
“When the President assumed (office), he said he wants a principled, accountable and dependable government…He wants to focus on rehabilitation,” said Calulut.
According to earlier data provided by the PDEA, P56.37 billion worth of illegal drugs have been seized under the Marcos administration from July 1, 2022 to January 31 this year.
PDEA said the seized drugs included 7,298 kilos of shabu worth P49.62 billion; 89.19 kilos of cocaine; 121,022 pieces of ecstasy; and 6,247.7 kilos of marijuana.
PDEA said 97,406 drug operations were conducted throughout the country during the period.
These operations led to the arrest of 131,578 drug personalities, including 8,404 high-value targets, and the dismantling of 1,301 drug dens and three clandestine laboratories.
