In line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to intensify the campaign against illegal drugs, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Nicolas Torre III on Wednesday vowed to continue to target both high-profile drug syndicates and small-time dealers.

Torre said the PNP’s relentless campaign has resulted in PhP44 billion worth of illegal drugs confiscated since the start of the year, which is more than the drug haul during the entire previous administration.

“Kung makita ninyo ang confiscation natin ng droga actually ay napakalaki despite sa hindi gaanong nabibigyan ng media mileage iyong mga nahuhuli nating mga tao at mga operations nating na-conduct. Pero 44 billion na ang ating nahuhuling worth ng droga since January this year,” Torre said.

“That’s bigger than the whole drug war ha. So we’re very, very optimistic in the way we do things kaya ako’y naniniwala tama ang ating direksiyon,” Torre added.

During the same briefing, PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said President Marcos wanted a more intensified coordination between the PNP and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

Fajardo cited the confiscation last month in Angeles City of a large volume of illegal drugs found floating at sea by fishermen. The fishermen turned over the contraband to the police and PDEA in Bataan.

Fajardo said the PNP Maritime Group, Philippine Coast Guard, and Philippine Navy conducted a joint patrol to search for other cargoes of illicit drugs left at sea.

She said PNP provincial directors in Bataan and Zambales will coordinate with their respective governors so that the fishermen who surrendered the illicit drugs could be given incentives. | PND