Total support for the PDEA
Now that President Duterte has ordered the PDEA to take the lead in anti-drug operations and stated he would no longer interfere in the drug war, repeated threats and warnings are now coming from the administration. Duterte himself warned that there would be serious consequences for the campaign's slowdown, short of saying that PDEA will not be as "successful" as the PNP's bloody Oplan Tokhang, and labeling critics of the drug war as bleeding hearts. Right now, the administration just seems to be waiting for the time when they can say "I told you so", and have the moral ascendancy to reactivate Oplan Tokhang.
It is obvious that the PNP and the administration's measure of success is the death of those involved one way or another in illegal drugs. Thousands have been killed in over a year's time under Oplan Tokhang. But is it really true that they were all killed because they fought it out with police? The killings of Kian delos Santos and Carl Angelo Arnaiz, as well as Reynaldo de Guzman have changed the view of many with regards to the PNP's bloody campaign. Its effect was felt in the latest SWS survey which saw President Duterte's trust and satisfaction ratings take a double-digit dive. Many seem convinced that not all those who have been killed fought it out, or were even involved in drugs. They just do not have CCTV footage or witnesses who can refute police versions like those of Delos Santos and Arnaiz.
There is absolutely no argument that the proliferation of illegal drugs must be stopped. The only concern of the people is the measure by which this administration claims victory, which has now been revealed to include the murder of innocents. Instead of threats and warnings, along with the added sarcasm that PDEA should ask human rights advocates for help in the drug war, there should be total support behind the PDEA, rather than practically expecting them to fail. In fact, was the PDEA actually set up for failure? PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino himself has said that the campaign will be less bloody. He also plans to invite the media to their operations, and they will always wear body cams. The goal is to make the campaign as transparent as possible. The 900 million peso budget recently approved for the PNP should be redirected to PDEA for the purchase of good arms and equipment, and the recruitment of good people. The PNP must also give support and not harbor the attitude of a spoiled child whose toys were taken away.
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