Average 10 people killed daily in war on drugs

MANILA, Philippines – In the 20 days since President Duterte took office, about 10 drug personalities were killed daily all over the country.

Records of the Philippine National Police (PNP) show that 207 suspected drug pushers and users were killed from July 1 to 20.

PNP records also show that 2,789 drug pushers and users were arrested while 114,833 surrendered during Duterte’s first 20 days in office.

Police conducted 61,806 house visitations to warn drug suspects.

PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa yesterday led the Special Action Force to the New Bilibid Prison to crack down on drug lords dictating the trade while serving sentence in prison.

Earlier, Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno ordered the PNP to look out for cargo truck drivers and porters who reportedly take drugs to handle long trips.

Sueno also directed local government units and local police to watch roadside eateries as these are being used as fronts for drug transactions. 

He got information that some truck drivers reportedly buy marijuana and shabu from small-time drug pushers in roadside eateries where they usually stop over for a meal.

“This bad habit of truck drivers of taking illegal drugs to enable them to drive long distances is very, very dangerous because as these drugs wear off, their driving ability will be impaired, which may lead to road accidents,” he said.

“The local police and barangay tanods should keep an active watch on the possible illegal drug transactions in carinderias along the highways whose common patrons are truckers,” he added. 

He also said drivers who are applying for a license to drive trucks should be subjected to regular drug tests so they would not put their own safety as well as others’ safety at risk.

“It is very challenging to drive long hours especially at night. This is why we have to make sure that truck drivers are of sound mind and body before they start the long haul,” he added.