PNP bares anti-drug accomplishments after Duterte remarks on increasing crimes

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday shared accomplishments in its anti-illegal drug campaign after former president Rodrigo Duterte said that drug-related crimes were on the rise.

In a statement, the PNP said its intensified efforts against illegal drugs have brought about “remarkable results.”

“In the first two years of our enhanced operations, we seized illegal drugs valued at P35.6 billion and apprehended 122,309 individuals involved in drug-related offenses,” the PNP said.

“These accomplishments highlight the effectiveness of our strategies and reinforce our dedication to combating the illegal drug trade,” it added.

The police organization issued the statement after Duterte said during a Senate hearing on extrajudicial killings that the incidents of drug-related crimes have increased anew.

''It is unfortunate that drug-related crimes are on the rise again. Everyday, you can read about children being raped, people getting killed and robbed, and just recently a drug den was raided within the Malacañang Complex,'' he said.

''This clearly manifests that purveyors of this menace are back in business,'' he added.

Malacañang has since dismissed Duterte’s remarks.

''With due respect to former President Rodrigo Duterte, there is no truth to his statement that crime remains rampant in the country,'' Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said.

“There has been a widespread decline in crime across the board,” Bersamin added. “Moreover, we have achieved stability and maintained peace and order in our country without foregoing due process nor setting aside the basic human rights of any Filipino.”

According to the PNP, it continues to implement a “balanced approach” to law enforcement that also has a strong commitment to “protecting human rights.”

“Our priority is public safety while ensuring that the dignity of every individual is respected and upheld,” the PNP said.

Meanwhile, the PNP also noted a 61.87% decrease in total index crimes.

“From July 1, 2022, to July 28, 2024, we noted a remarkable 61.87% decrease in total index crimes, with 217,830 reported incidents during the same period of 2016 to 2018 to just 83,059. This significant downward trend spans various categories of crime,” the PNP said.

“Notably, crimes against persons, including murder, homicide, physical injuries, and rape, decreased by 55.69%. Specifically, we recorded reductions of 11,641 in murders, 2,420 in homicides, 2,719 in rape incidents, and a notable decrease of 34,966 in physical injuries,” it added. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News