PNP chief: Drug problem less than 50% solved

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police still has a long way to go in its campaign against illegal drugs, according to PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde.

“Maybe not even 50 percent of the problem is solved,”Albayalde told a news forum.

 He cited the continued presence of street-level drug pushers. “If there are street pushers on the ground, it means they have sources,” Albayalde said.

“In spite of our accomplishments, there are still arrests and encounters every day,” he added.

In Bulacan alone, 15 suspects were killed in anti-drug operations in less than 48 hours from Tuesday night.

At least 4,279 suspected drug pushers and users have been killed in alleged shootouts with anti-drug operatives since the government launched a war on drugs when President Duterte assumed office in July 2016.

A total of 143,335 other drug suspects were arrested.

However, Albayalde said the PNP is gaining ground in the anti-drug campaign, citing the improving peace and order situation in the country.

“What’s important here is we are now seeing the changes,” he said.

Albayalde expressed confidence that the drug problem would be minimal when Duterte steps down in 2022.

“Most probably the problem is going to lessen enough that we will no longer feel it,” he said.