PNP open for new options on anti-drug campaign

November 11, 2019

The Philippine National Police ( PNP) on Monday said they are open for new options on the government’s campaign against illegal drugs.

During a press briefing, Police Lieutenant General Archie Francisco Gamboa said the organization will be ''dynamic'' in any government approach on the war on drugs.

“Any government approach, we should be dynamic because time changes and for me personally, I like to open up options because we had a (anti-illegal) drug war- which is very successful but if there is a need to recalibrate and maybe touch up few points, study it, the PNP is open to it,” said the PNP officer-in-charge.

Gamboa clarified they did not “launch” killing on their anti-illegal drugs operations.

“I’d like to reiterate that the PNP has not launch killing for purpose of enforcing the anti-illegal drugs operation. As a matter of fact, we have investigated on all those allegations that were thrown to us on this accuse or suspects who died in police operation,” Gamboa said.

Asked about Vice President Leni Robredo working with an all-men group, Gamboa said they will make her “as comfortable as possible”.

“We will make it easy for her and understandable on the part of law enforcement. I know it’s practically new thing for her because she does not have exposure about this before… but when being a co-chairperson of ICAD (Inter-agency Council on Anti-illegal Drugs), it encompasses a lot of things so I hope she will not only concentrate on law enforcement because as presented there are a lot of things to on the advocacy and rehabilitation,” he said.

“We are also very willing to update her or educate her on the law enforcement side,” he added.

Gamboa said allowing Robredo to join their police operations “would risk her life”.

“As a matter of fact, we generals do not join anti-illegal drug operations probably because during our younger days we were exposed to this,” he said.

The PNP, with other agencies met Robredo, last Friday for the first meeting of ICAD with her as the new chairperson.

Robredo expressed her interest in providing new ideas to the committee to prevent “senseless killings” and at the same time achieve their goals to get rid illegal drugs.

As of now, President Rodrigo Duterte has not given any directives on what will be the job of Robredo as the co-chair of ICAD but the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) is eyeing her for the rehabilitation and recreation side of the campaign.

“Whatever functions will be lay down and powers (given to) her being a co-chairperson then the PNP will always respect that,” said Gamboa. Ella Dionisio/DMS