6-month deadline to end drug menace possible – Bato

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa expressed optimism yesterday that law enforcers would meet the six-month timeline of President Duterte of achieving victory in the war against illegal drugs.

Dela Rosa said the police campaign in the past two months had resulted in the surrender of more than 670,000 drug addicts.

He said the PNP’s campaign target is to cover the reported 1.8 million users of illegal drugs nationwide.

“Based on the pacing of the campaign it is achievable. Pero sigurista ako, kaya (But I want to be sure) I’m just worried we will be running out of time,” he said.

Dela Rosa, who was here yesterday as guest of the 115th Police Service Anniversary held at the Police Regional Office 9 (PRO), said he made sure that one of his objectives in going around police headquarters in the country is to encourage the police to work hard and hit its target in the drug campaign.

“I talk with the regional directors to double their time, triple their time so we can clean this country of the menace of illegal drugs,” Dela Rosa said.

He said illegal gambling would be next target for another six months after the war on illegal drugs.

Dela Rosa said while illegal gambling appeared to be moderate, they would not allow it to proliferate.

The PNP chief also warned police officers to stay away from illegal gambling lords.