No 'reward system' for killing drug suspects under Marcos admin: DDB | ABS-CBN
ADVERTISEMENT
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
No 'reward system' for killing drug suspects under Marcos admin: DDB
Agents from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and workers load confiscated illegal drugs into an incinerator during the destruction of illegal drugs in Trece Martires, Cavite on March 16, 2023. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/File
Agents from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and workers load confiscated illegal drugs into an incinerator during the destruction of illegal drugs in Trece Martires, Cavite on March 16, 2023. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News/FileMANILA — The Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) said Wednesday there was no policy of rewarding officers for killing drug suspects under the Marcos administration.
MANILA — The Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) said Wednesday there was no policy of rewarding officers for killing drug suspects under the Marcos administration.
In a forum, DDB Usec. Earl Saavedra said Operation "Private Eye" and Operation "Lawmen" were the only legitimate reward processes regulated by the board and executed by the PDEA.
In a forum, DDB Usec. Earl Saavedra said Operation "Private Eye" and Operation "Lawmen" were the only legitimate reward processes regulated by the board and executed by the PDEA.
Based on DDB releases, the Operation "Private Eye" incentivizes any person who provides information to any law enforcer resulting in the successful confiscation or seizure of dangerous drugs and arrest of individuals involved in illegal drugs.
Based on DDB releases, the Operation "Private Eye" incentivizes any person who provides information to any law enforcer resulting in the successful confiscation or seizure of dangerous drugs and arrest of individuals involved in illegal drugs.
Meanwhile, the Operation "Lawmen" recognizes law enforcers, members of anti-illegal drug teams, and support units.
Meanwhile, the Operation "Lawmen" recognizes law enforcers, members of anti-illegal drug teams, and support units.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Pero po 'yung pumatay, at bibigyan ng reward hindi po natin 'yun nilapatan ng polisiya and moreover, hindi natin tino-tolerate," Saavedra said during the Kapihan sa Manila Hotel.
"Pero po 'yung pumatay, at bibigyan ng reward hindi po natin 'yun nilapatan ng polisiya and moreover, hindi natin tino-tolerate," Saavedra said during the Kapihan sa Manila Hotel.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the implementing arm of the DDB, also said no "reward system" for killing drug suspects existed.
The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the implementing arm of the DDB, also said no "reward system" for killing drug suspects existed.
PDEA spokesperson Lawin Gabales noted that the legitimate reward system for private individuals also undergoes vetting process.
PDEA spokesperson Lawin Gabales noted that the legitimate reward system for private individuals also undergoes vetting process.
"'Yung member po ng 'Private Eye' is hindi lang po PDEA. Kasama po natin dito from academe, from the religious sector, from the business (sector), parang board din po sila. They are the one who will access if the reward is suitable doon sa nahuli nila," Gabales added.
"'Yung member po ng 'Private Eye' is hindi lang po PDEA. Kasama po natin dito from academe, from the religious sector, from the business (sector), parang board din po sila. They are the one who will access if the reward is suitable doon sa nahuli nila," Gabales added.
The "reward system" made headlines after retired police colonel Royina Garma claimed in a House inquiry that former president Rodrigo Duterte's drug war allegedly rewarded police officers for the deaths of suspects, replicating the "Davao model."
The "reward system" made headlines after retired police colonel Royina Garma claimed in a House inquiry that former president Rodrigo Duterte's drug war allegedly rewarded police officers for the deaths of suspects, replicating the "Davao model."
ADVERTISEMENT
Duterte said there was a cash reward scheme for officers during his war on drugs, but it did not mean that police were incentivized to kill alleged drug personalities.
Duterte said there was a cash reward scheme for officers during his war on drugs, but it did not mean that police were incentivized to kill alleged drug personalities.
'FEWER' DRUG USERS
Saavedra noted there were fewer drug users in the country a year after the Marcos administration took over.
Saavedra noted there were fewer drug users in the country a year after the Marcos administration took over.
Citing DDB's National Household Survey on the Patterns and Trends of Drug Use in the Philippines, the DDB official said the number of drug users declined to 1.47 million in 2023 from 1.67 million in 2019.
Citing DDB's National Household Survey on the Patterns and Trends of Drug Use in the Philippines, the DDB official said the number of drug users declined to 1.47 million in 2023 from 1.67 million in 2019.
Gabales said P49.71 billion worth of narcotics were seized from July 1, 2022 to Sept. 30, 2024.
Gabales said P49.71 billion worth of narcotics were seized from July 1, 2022 to Sept. 30, 2024.
"Dahil sa mas marami tayong nakuhang drugs ngayon compared to previous years, I assume to say that bumaba 'yung supply sa street," the PDEA spokesman noted.
"Dahil sa mas marami tayong nakuhang drugs ngayon compared to previous years, I assume to say that bumaba 'yung supply sa street," the PDEA spokesman noted.
ADVERTISEMENT
Out of the 42,002 barangays in the country, Gabales said that 29,211 were cleared of illegal drugs, while 6,292 remained "drug-affected".
Out of the 42,002 barangays in the country, Gabales said that 29,211 were cleared of illegal drugs, while 6,292 remained "drug-affected".
"Drug-free" barangays or those with no identified drug personalities were at 6,174, while "unaffected" barangays were pegged at 325.
"Drug-free" barangays or those with no identified drug personalities were at 6,174, while "unaffected" barangays were pegged at 325.
'HUMANE' AND 'HEALTH-BASED APPROACH'
In line with the commemoration of the Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Week, Saavedra underscored the administration's focus on health-based approach in its fight against drug abuse especially in communities.
In line with the commemoration of the Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Week, Saavedra underscored the administration's focus on health-based approach in its fight against drug abuse especially in communities.
"It now prioritizes treatment, rehabilitation, community-based reintegration, advocacy and prevention," the DDB official emphasized.
"It now prioritizes treatment, rehabilitation, community-based reintegration, advocacy and prevention," the DDB official emphasized.
Saavedra also highlighted the intervention efforts including bolstering treatment and rehabilitation programs and facilities.
Saavedra also highlighted the intervention efforts including bolstering treatment and rehabilitation programs and facilities.
ADVERTISEMENT
"We consider drug addiction as a chronic relapsing mental health condition. Sakit po si drug addiction... relapse is really part of the treatment process, pwede at pwedeng bumalik," he said.
"We consider drug addiction as a chronic relapsing mental health condition. Sakit po si drug addiction... relapse is really part of the treatment process, pwede at pwedeng bumalik," he said.
Saavedra noted that there were 88 drug abuse treatment and rehabilitation facilities in the country -- 34 of which are operated by the government while 54 are private-owned.
Saavedra noted that there were 88 drug abuse treatment and rehabilitation facilities in the country -- 34 of which are operated by the government while 54 are private-owned.
"But we are still far from that mark. Sa batas, at least 1 per province. We have 82 provinces, hahabulin po natin ngayon 'yan.Kaya si DDB together with DOH mayroon na po tayong yearly targets so that by the time the Marcos Jr. administration ends, matutugunan po natin 'yung ang gap na 'yan," he added.
"But we are still far from that mark. Sa batas, at least 1 per province. We have 82 provinces, hahabulin po natin ngayon 'yan.Kaya si DDB together with DOH mayroon na po tayong yearly targets so that by the time the Marcos Jr. administration ends, matutugunan po natin 'yung ang gap na 'yan," he added.
RELATED VIDEO:
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
