PNP says drug problem a ”domestic issue”

March 7, 2019

The Philippine National Police (PNP)  on Thursday said the country’s problem in illegal drugs is a “domestic issue” after a United Nations official remarked it doesn't respect ''rule of law''.

Police General Oscar Albayalde, PNP head, made the statemnt after United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said the drug policies of the Philippines lacks ''respect for rule of law and international standards'' and ''should not be considered as model by any country.''

“Well this is a domestic problem and as I said, we will do anything to end our problem in illegal drugs,” Albayalde said in a TV interview.

“We saw how big our problem is and our president (Rodrigo Duterte) also saw how big our problem in illegal drugs,” he added.

During her speech in Geneva on March 6, Bachelet claimed 27,000 people were killed in the country’s campaign against illegal drugs since mid-2016. She cited ''several sources'' for the figure.

“Despite serious allegations of extra-judicial killings, only one case – the widely reported killing of a teenage boy – has been subject to investigation and prosecution. People who have fallen into the trap of drug reliance need help to rebuild their lives; drug policies should not be more of a threat to their lives than the drugs they are abusing,” she said.

Bachelet encouraged the administration to adopt a public health approach, and harm reduction initiatives, that comply with human rights standards, as recommended to the 2016 UN General Assembly Special Session.  

“The drug policies in place in the Philippines, and its lack of respect for rule of law and international standards, should not be considered a model by any country,” said Bachelet.

Some heads of states who were able to meet President Rodrigo Duterte showed their support to his fight against illegal drugs and are considering to do the same tactics.

In a press briefing last month, law enforcement agencies said they have recorded a total of 5,176 drug personalities killed from July 1, 2016 to January 31, 2019.  Ella Dionisio/DMS