Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa asserted that the drug war under former President Rodrigo Duterte was not selective in enforcing the law. This statement comes in light of the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) recent shift in strategy, focusing on the sources and supply chains of illegal drugs rather than street-level pushers and users.
“We didn’t discriminate as to who we are going to arrest in our war on drugs. We were not selective in the implementation of the Dangerous Drugs Act. All violators of the law–drug lords, drug pushers, drug traffickers, drug users–were targeted in our anti-drug operations,” Dela Rosa stated.
Dela Rosa, the former PNP chief, wished success for the PNP’s new approach. “I wish them good luck. I hope and pray that they will succeed,” he added.
Senate President Francis “Chiz” Escudero and Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III expressed support for the new strategy, which targets high-value drug personalities and supply chains.
“I agree and support this ‘new strategy.’ From the start, we should have focused on the supply chain given that the raw materials for shabu and cocaine mostly come from abroad,” Escudero said. He added that targeting the supply chain could make drugs scarce and more expensive, thereby reducing their prevalence and use.
Pimentel echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of targeting suppliers to apprehend true drug lords.
Opposition Senator Risa Hontiveros welcomed the shift, hoping it would be more humane than the previous Oplan Tokhang. “History has proven that Oplan Tokhang was not effective. I hope this new strategy is more humane. We will continue to monitor its implementation,” she said.
Hontiveros advocated for a comprehensive and holistic strategy that includes harm reduction, treatment, and prevention, alongside targeting dealers and syndicates.
Senator Robin Padilla highlighted the importance of removing criminals from the streets to maintain law and order.
On Sunday, PNP chief Pol. Gen. Rommel Marbil announced the new focus on high-value targets and drug movements, aiming for a more effective and less violent campaign that respects human rights and addresses the drug problem at its core.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has opposed handling the drug menace with violence, unlike his predecessor. In his third State of the Nation Address, Marcos declared that his administration’s drug campaign, which has not included killing suspects, has led to the seizure of P44 billion worth of illegal drugs and the arrest of more than 97,000 drug personalities in over 71,500 operations.