Dela Rosa says war on drugs will be “centerpiece” in Duterte speech

July 24, 2017

Philippine National Police Director General Ronald Dela Rosa said Monday President Rodrigo Duterte will give a prominent role on the war on drugs campaign in his second State of the Nation Address at the Batasan Pambansa Monday afternoon. "I am positive that he will discuss that because that is the centerpiece of his administration. For sure he will discuss that but I did not really see what he will read later", Dela Rosa said after the flag raising ceremony at Camp Crame. Allegedly  at least 6,000 people were killed since the Duterte administration started its all-out war against illegal drugs in June 2016. Dela Rosa hopes Duterte will include salary increase of police officers in his speech. Dela Rosa said there is an ongoing case build up against the supporters of the ISIS-linked Maute-Abu Sayyaf group fighting the government forces in Marawi City. "Most of them are in  Arrest Order Number 1 and 2. The narcopoliticians are included there so they are more careful and hiding. They are on the run", he said. Dela Rosa said the support of the personalities to the Maute group and their drug trade is "disrupted". "What is important is while they are listed in that order of arrest. They could hardly make their trade, they cannot ply their trade because they are on the run so that's additional benefit on the government side", he said. (Alanna Ambi/DMS)