Over 27,000 barangays cleared from illegal drugs, Palace says

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said Thursday that 27,968 barangays have been cleared from illegal drugs, citing a report from the Philippine National Police (PNP).

The PCO added that around P10.41 billion worth of narcotics have been seized from January to December 2023. 

It also said that 23 provinces, 447 municipalities, and 43 cities are establishing their respective community-based drug rehabilitation programs (CBDRPs) to further boost the government's campaign against illegal drugs.

That's on top of 50 provinces, 1,160 municipalities, and 30 cities already have functional Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (ADACs) already implementing anti-drug priorities at the local level.

In addition, there are 74 established in-patient treatment and rehabilitation facilities to help address the drug menace. 

Marcos has since pushed for a whole-of-nation approach in dealing with drug abuse, indicating that it could lead to chronic illness and social issues if left untreated.

He said the approach should include prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and law enforcement to ensure the implementation of the Philippine Anti-Illegal Drug Strategy.

Marcos previously said that his administration would focus on rehabilitation to curb the drug menace, which is different from his predecessor Rodrigo Duterte's bloody war against illegal drugs.

The President also said dismantling drug syndicates is necessary to address the problem.

Under the Marcos administration, the PCO said that the Dangerous Drugs Board would continue to implement the Barangay Drug Clearing Program (BDCP), with the goal of attaining 100 percent drug-free or drug-cleared barangays by 2028.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency is also intensifying its efforts against top-level drug personalities, not only by arresting them but by strengthening financial investigation to immobilize their assets. —VAL, GMA Integrated News