Abalos: P21 billion drugs seized since BIDA’s start in 2023

MANILA, Philippines — At least P21 billion worth of illegal drugs were confiscated since the start of the government’s  BIDA or Buhay Ingatan, Droga ay Ayawan flagship program last year, Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. said yesterday.

“This is a new approach that we are implementing. It is called emersion and in one year, we got 1,200 BIDA events, close to 400,0000 participants; 75,831 drug operations; 95,790 arrested drug personalities; P21 billion worth of illegal drugs were confiscated and 177 police personnel were filed with cases for alleged involvement in illegal drugs. That’s the house cleaning that we are doing,” he said in a chance interview.

Abalos led an advocacy walk, as part of activities for the first anniversary, from the Cultural Center of the Philippines to the SM Mall of Asia concert grounds.

“On the part of enforcement we have 1,240 local government units with a functional anti-drug abuse council and of course we have community-based drug rehabilitation in at least 1,534 LGUs and 20,360 (individuals) are enrolled here,” Abalos added.

He said that the DILG has 74 new in-patient treatment and rehabilitation facilities.

“We have 31,426 persons who used drugs enrolled and we’ve got 246 LGUs recognized with their best anti-drug abuse council,” Abalos noted.

According to Abalos, BIDA workplaces in the government agencies were put in place where random testing among employees was being done.

“This will also be done by the (private) companies, the random drug testing plus if they have a drug program. There are rehabilitation programs being done by 33 private drug sectors of the big private companies,” he said.

Abalos added that the illegal drug campaign of the government has resulted in the 8.5 percent decrease in index crimes in the Philippines.

“One thing is certain, the campaign against illegal drugs will continue with the help of the Dangerous Drug Board, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, National Bureau of Investigation, and of course the different other agencies. It is really a whole of government approach and whole of nation approach,” he said.

At the same time, Abalos said that the government is doing its best to win the war against illegal drugs.

He said that the government would continue to focus on areas where the illegal drug trade is still high.

“Next week, I will call a meeting in the National Capital Region. ‘Give me the worst areas in your jurisdiction.’  It should really come from the mayors, it should come from the community itself. It is difficult if it is based on mere suspicion so I told the PNP chief, if the police will not be able to solve it, we will issue a warning in their respective jurisdiction,” he said, referring to Philippine National Police chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr.

According to Abalos, more barangays were declared drug-free areas after at least 28,000 villages were acknowledged.

“There are many drug-free cities and barangays, including the whole San Juan… Not because you are drug-free, you will stop as this is the most important caveat as it could reoccur,” he said.