PNP can still arrest drug suspects in the act of drug use, selling — official

The Philippine National Police on Thursday warned drug suspects that police officers will still arrest them if they will deal, sell, or use illegal drugs in the streets.

PNP deputy spokesperson Superintendent Vimelee Madrid said the police will not turn a blind eye on drug suspects following the October 10 memo of President Rodrigo Duterte tasking the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to take the lead in anti-illegal drug operations. 

“Kung ang situation warrants warrantless arrest, we can take effect the arrest immediately. Kung the crime is being committed in our presence and we have personal knowledge that a crime is being committed or is about to be committed we will effect the arrest,” she said.

“We will still uphold the law. The use, dealing, buying of illegal drugs is punishable by law so we  are still mandated to arrest anytime,” she added.

Madrid said that even ordinary citizens can arrest drug suspects doing illegal transactions in their presence.

“As a citizen you can exercise citizen’s arrest,” she said.

She said the PNP will now focus their law enforcement activities on decreasing street crimes “as this is where we are perceived by the community vis a vis our initiatives and efforts.”

PNP Directorate for Operations chief Director Camilo Pancratius Cascolan, in a memorandum dated October 11, said the PNP Drug Enforcement Group shall now limit its functions to immediate submission of drug-related intelligence reports or information to PDEA.

“All units are also directed to focus all operations on anti-criminality, internal security, and anti-terrorism through strategy implementation of enhanced managing police operations,” he said.

He added that violators of the memorandum will be dealt with accordingly.

For his part, PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Dionardo Carlos said it a challenge for them to ensure that the crime rate will not increase.

“Kami na ang pinaka-magtatrabaho ngayon n’yan para hindi na maulit ‘yung sa different types of crimes that are perpetrated by drug personalities. It will be a challenge for us because we now have our personnel, equipment, and other available resources to focus on anti-criminality kailangan doon kami mag-focus, isasama na yung anti-corruption o internal cleansing,” he said. — RSJ, GMA News