ROCKY IGNACIO/PTV: …PCCO Assistant Secretary, Attorney Ana Marie Banaag.
ASEC. BANAAG: Rocky, magandang umaga at sa mga kasamahan natin sa Malacañang Press Corps.
Real Numbers is not just here to correct misleading numbers from the international rights groups or from the media; but to present the real story, the people behind these numbers and the stories behind every figure.
While we know that the complaints filed before the ICC are founded on political motive and baseless numbers, we reiterate that the Philippine government respects and protects human rights; and our police officers, follow rules of engagement. There may be isolated cases of abuse, but our President never tolerate these cases.
The agencies behind Real Numbers have been working so hard to consolidate and present these figures to cite the real score and present accurate numbers – numbers that have faces, families and stories. But beyond numbers, Real Numbers is a platform that calls for reform of the criminal justice system and seek multi-sectoral cooperation. We can only do this of course through an effective and efficient law enforcement which is balanced with protecting human rights and you, our media partners keeping us in check.
Joining us today is Police Chief Superintendent Rene Pamuspusan, and our newly installed Spokesperson of the PNP, Police Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao on my right; and the Spokesperson from the PDEA, Director Derrick Carreon.
MPC partners, let’s welcome our anti-illegal drug enforcers. Sir… may I ask the PDEA first to present our updated cards and of course the increase since January 17, the last time that we had our Real Numbers Press Briefing.
PDEA DIR. CARREON: Thank you, ma’am.
For the consolidated figures on the anti-drug campaign towards a drug-free Philippines: from July 1, 2016 to February 8, 2018 – a total of 85,068 anti-illegal drug operations were conducted by PDEA and other law enforcement agencies, resulting in the arrest of 121,087 drug personalities. During the period, there were 4,021 drug personalities who died during anti-drug operations.
On government workers—[live stream cut] 2016 to February 8, 2018 – a total of 454 government workers were arrested nationwide for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. Out of these, 192 were elected officials, 44 were uniformed personnel and 218 were government employees.
On drug law enforcers who were killed and wounded in anti-drug operations in the performance of their drug enforcement duties – 87 law enforcers were killed-in-action, while 227 were wounded-in-action. Noting the total count at 314 law enforcers.
On minors rescued – During the anti-drug operations conducted nationwide, a total of 618 minors were rescued from involvement in illegal drugs activities.
Significantly, PDEA and other law enforcement agencies dismantled a total of 183 illegal drug facilities, composed of 174 drug dens and 9 shabu laboratories.
The anti-drug operations conducted also resulted in the seizure or confiscation of 2,610.37 kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu worth 13.41 billion pesos, posting 166.62 million pesos increase since January 17, 2018.
Dangerous drugs, controlled precursors, essential chemicals and laboratory equipment confiscated from July 1, 2016 to February 8, 2018 were worth 19.61 billion pesos, posting an increase of 269.74 million pesos since January 17, 2018.
And, on barangay drug clearing operations: As of January 2018, a total of 5,327 barangays have been declared ‘drug cleared’, this is out of the total drug affectation of 24 thousand—or bringing the drug affectation nationwide to 24,137 drug affected barangays, representing 57.42% of the 42,036 barangays nationwide.
Thank you sir, ma’am…
ASEC. BANAAG: Thank you, PDEA. May we ask Spokesperson Bulalacao…
PCSUPT. BULALACAO: Yes ma’am, good morning. Ladies and gentlemen, good morning.
The Philippine National Police is grateful for the opportunity to take part in this forum to present to our people the real score in our national crusade against illegal drugs and its social complications.
According to the letter and intent of Presidential Memorandum Order No. 17, the PNP shall reassume the crucial role in the government’s anti-drug campaign in support of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. The anti-illegal drugs campaign of the PNP, with all the notable accomplishments under its name was continued on December 5, 2017, while the complementing left hand effort, the project ‘Tokhang’ was reactivated on January 29, 2018, with the hope of sustaining noble gains that have so far yielded more than 1.3 million drug personalities who chose to voluntarily turn back from a life of drugs to a life of hope.
While we recognize some oversights that beset our efforts in the past, we became more responsive to the dysfunctions and systems, and procedures that we earnestly seek to correct through the Oversight Committee on Illegal Drugs of the PNP headed by Police Deputy Director General Fernando Mendez. We remain optimistic with the prospect of less bloody anti-drug operations this time around, by prescribing supplemental operational guidelines when conducting ‘Tokhang’ activities and law enforcement operations against drug personalities.
These supplemental guidelines are essentially founded on the fundamental principles of respect for human rights and strict adherence to the rule of law, with greater emphasis on transparency, accountability and command responsibility.
Let me underscore that rule of law shall always prevail during the conduct of all anti-illegal drug related activities, including ‘Tokhang’ activities and respect for human rights shall be strictly observed at all times.
‘Tokhang’ operations shall be intelligence driven, targeting suspected illegal drugs personalities listed by the Directorate for Intelligence.
We are confident that this time, police interdiction operations against illegal drugs will be carried out with greater efficiency and with less violent confrontations between law enforcers and offenders through better equipment, to ensure the personal safety of our personnel such as body armor and body camera, and communications equipment complemented by skills, training and enhanced tactical capability.
We are pleased to provide this body with a more comprehensive understanding of the PNP’s flagship program ‘Double Barrel’ through our subject matter expert from the Directorate for Operations, Police Chief Superintendent Rene Pamuspusan, the Executive Officer of the Directorate for Operations of the PNP.
PCSUPT. PAMUSPUSAN: Thank you, sir.
May I just report that from July 1, 2016 when we started the anti-illegal drugs campaign of the government to February 8, 2018 – we have now a total of 22,189 cases referred to prosecution for their evaluation, after the completion of the investigation by the PNP. And out of this number, after 22 days from January 17 during the last Real Numbers forum, we have an increase of 281 cases referred to prosecution. And subsequently, we now have a total of 43,226 cases filed in court, after the submission of the information to the prosecution. Now this includes the increase of 1,444 filed in court from January 17.
Also, from July 1, 2016 to February 8, 2018 – we have now a total of 2,388 homicide cases. May I just clarify that these are the cases or incidents reported and investigated by the PNP which are not directly related to the anti-drugs operations of the government, but whose suspects and victims are under either under the influence of drugs or in one way or the other, have involvement in the illegal drugs trade.
Out of these, we have a total of 639 cases solved. From January 17, we have an increase of 153 cases which leaves us of the balance of 1,749 cases still under investigation by the law enforcement. Thank you.
PART 2 – REAL NUMBERS PH, February 14, 2018
10:59
ASEC. BANAAG: All right. Before that, may I ask for the slide of the comparative anti-drug efforts. This was presented last year, but we’d like to present it again.
Between the period from July 1, 2010 t0 June 30, 2016, that is 72 months or six years, and between the period from July 1, 2016 to February 8, 2018. So, operations conducted for six years was from 2010 to 2016 — June 30, 2016, was 99,710. And from July 1, 2016 to February 8, 2018, it’s at 85,068 anti-illegal drugs operations.
Ang naaresto po mula July 1, 2010 hanggang June 30, 2016 ay 77,810! At mula naman po noong July 1, 2016 hanggang po last week, February 8, 2018, ay 121,087 ang naaresto po. Ang na-seize na shabu po for a period of six years noong 2010 hanggang 2016 ay 3,219 kilograms, at ang value po nito ay 29.83 billion. Mula naman po noong July 1, 2016 hanggang February 8, 2018, ang na-seize po na mga shabu ay 2,610 kilos and 37 grams. Tama? 2,610 and 37 kilograms. At ang value po nito ay 19.61 billion.
Iyan po a ng comparative anti-drug efforts po comparing, of course, 2010 hanggang 2016 and 2016 June 30 hanggang February 8, 2018.
Maraming salamat po.
ROSE NOVENARIO/HATAW: Good morning, General Bulalacao. Sir, sabi ninyo po kanina, intel driven iyong inyong Oplan Tokhang or Oplan Double Barrel. Kung hindi po ako nagkakamali, last year or 2016, nagbuo po ng counter-intelligence body iyong PNP para po sa monitoring ng police scalawags or police involved in illegal drugs operation. Ano po iyong update natin dito? At ilan na po iyong naaresto, nakulong or na-convict po na pulis bunsod po nitong pagkaka-involve po nila sa drugs?
PCSUPT. BULALACAO: Yes, ma’am. We have created or organized—I mean, is an counter-intelligence task force since last year. This is headed by Senior Supt. Malayo, at marami na rin pong naging mga accomplishments.
And right now, please excuse me because I do not have the data, ma’am. I will give it to you as soon as I have it later, ma’am.
ROSE NOVENARIO/HATAW: Mga kailan po kaya sir, Mga hanggang bukas?
PCSUP. BULALACAO: May staff will coordinate with you, ma’am.
ROSE NOVENARIO/HATAW: Kasi puwede po ninyo kasing masabing tuloy po iyong cleansing din sa PNP doon po sa isa-submit po ninyong accomplishment report ng counter-intelligence body.
PCSUP. BULALACAO: Yes, ma’am. Bale tuluy-tuloy naman ang aming efforts, and nagkataon lamang na hindi ko po nadala iyong data tungkol sa kung sinu-sino at ilan po ang kasalukuyang naging—nandito na, ma’am. Dumating na. Mabilis po!
Yes, ma’am. As of February 9, 2018, a total of 162 members of the PNP were relieved from their positions and were assigned to their respective admin and holding units; 77 of whom are active members; six were on AWOL. Those endorsed by the CITF (Counter Intelligence Task Force) was 39 personnel. And endorsed by the Police Regional Offices, was 40.
And iyon so far ang data namin as of February 9 ma’am!
CELERINA MONTE/MANILA SHIMBUN: Good morning. Asec. Banaag, since you have shown us the comparison those cases during the previous administration and under this admin, do you have any statistics also as to the number of those who died, drug-related killings?
ASEC. BANAAG: We can provide the number of those died during drug operation during those times, perhaps by this afternoon before 5 P.M.
CELERINA MONTE/MANILA SHIMBUN: And to Chief Superintendent Pamuspusan. May we know, kasi ‘di ba before mayroong like ilang cases iyong homicide, iyong namatay, and out of that, since na-present ni Director Carreon na 4,000 something na iyong namatay pero how many iyong total na iyong homicide as of iyong latest?
CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT PAMUSPUSAN: Yes, thank you. For the focused police operations on anti-illegal drugs, we now have a total of—for the HUI, we have a total of 2,388 but this does not fall under focused anti-drug operations of the PNP.
Now, for the focused operations, we now have a total of 4,021.
CELERINA MONTE/MANILA SHIMBUN: No, sir. Prior to that kasi mayroong data na parang umabot na siyang 8,000 and out of that, 2,000 something iyong namatay. So I’m wondering, ‘di ba mas mataas supposedly iyong under investigation na homicide than the figure you are presenting to us now?
ASEC. BANAAG: May I answer that. Because that was raised during the times that we released real numbers, the HCI, the homicide cases under investigation, under the PNP only. Those data ay homicide cases, na hiwalay dito iyong directly related sa illegal drugs. So this is the number. So iyon iyong total dati ay lahat ng klase ng kaso – rape, murder at kung anu-anuman but not necessarily related sa illegal drugs.
REYMUND TINAZA/BOMBO RADYO: To the PDEA, kay Director Carreon. Sir, you being the lead agency to the anti-drug war, will you submit your data, your reports to the International Criminal Court to dispute or to at least give your position with regard to the charge of war against humanity against the President—crime, sorry, Crime against humanity.
DIRECTOR CARREON: Sir, that’s precisely why we came up with this real numbers in order that we can be transparent in regard to the conduct of the anti-drug campaign. Now, if the date will be summoned in relation to such hearing, then the PDEA will support in terms of the data.
REYMUND TINAZA/BOMBO RADYO: If summoned, but what if not? I mean, you still have to wait for the summon of the ICC?
DIRECTOR CARREON: Well, of course, we will have to see kung papaano iyong takbo ng kaso kasi iyong relevant doon iyong data, definitely, automatic iyon isa-submit natin. But as of now, it’s still in the preliminary stages so we will wait and see as to where will PDEA and the other agencies step in, in order to support the figures or the campaign of the President.
REYMUND TINAZA/BOMBO RADYO: I don’t know, sir, if you can answer this. But from your end and your data and your analysis, do you think the complaint against the President really constitute crime against humanity with regard to the anti-drug war?
DIRECTOR CARREON: It’s a legal question, ideal to the legal expert.
ASEC. BANAAG: Yes, if I may comment on that, the question is: Will it prosper? That is really up to the… and the President is welcomed sa preliminary examination ng ICC.
As to the question of whether or not it will prosper, that is really up to them because they have basis, they have principles.
As to which to base the investigation: first is I think complimentarity, whether or not there is a case that is pending here, and gravity. And we don’t believe that it is a crime against humanity.
TUESDAY NIU/DZBB: To Police Chief Superintendent Bulalacao, sir. Sir, kagabi sa isang event ni Presidente sa Malacanang, na-discuss niya with other government officials iyong kanyang war against drugs, campaign against illegal drugs. At nabanggit po niya na sa pagkakataong ito, mas maghihigpit daw po siya sa mga police. Kasi nga po sa mga nakalipas na panahon, ito raw iyong dahilan kung bakit ngayon ay nahaharap siya sa kaso sa ICC.
So, anong extra measures na ipapatupad ng PNP kung meron man, additional or whatever para hindi na po masangkot ulit iyong ilan nating mga police sa mga palpak na drug operations?
PCSUPT. BULALACAO: Ito ang dahilan kung bakit naglabas ang Philippine National Police ng panibagong set of guidelines to be followed strictly by the members of the PNP in the lower units. So itong panibagong guidelines na ito ay mas maipapaliwag ni General Pamuspusan kung anu-ano ito. But ganoon pa man, ito ang dahilan kung bakit sinasabi ng Presidente na masisiguro niya na kailangan masagot ng maayos ng PNP kung papano o kung ano ang dapat gawin para maging maayos ang anti-drugs campaign ng Philippine National Police.
LEILA/PDI: Good morning. For General Bulalacao. Sir, earlier there was a report that 53 more people were killed since the PNP returned to the drug war last December. Sir, how is the PNP taking this, is the number—is this something to be worried about. Tingin n’yo ba masyadong mababa or masyadong po iyong number?
PCSUPT. BULALACAO: These are the factual data that we gathered from our lower units. So the 50… 53 ba o 50 lang? 53? The 53 deaths that were reported to us are what actually—were reported by the lower units to us.
LEILA/PDI: Pero sir, there were earlier statements that the PNP is trying to make the anti-drug campaign bloodless. So considering that there were 53 people killed, ano ang ibig sabihin nito, sir?
PCSUPT. BULALACAO: What we are trying to emphasize during our briefings ay iyong Oplan Tokhang natin is sure to be bloodless and we want it emphasized that we are not expecting bloodless in Oplan Tokhang.
Siguro gusto ko munang ipaliwanag sa inyo kung ano talaga iyong anti-drugs campaign ng Philippine National Police. We have this, the Oplan Double-Barrel, the upper barrel is our campaign against high-value targets and street level pushers and the other one is the Oplan Tokhang. And we are trying to emphasize that our efforts against illegal drugs should be as much as possible bloodless. Except during the time when the targets will put up a fight against our policemen.
So of course what the PNP will do is to protect themselves from possible harm to be caused by this drug suspects. Because we believe that we are fighting an enemy that have unstable minds. So pagka ikaw ay drug users, alam naman natin na kadalasan kagaya ng sinabi ng ating Presidente, sira na ang kanilang ulo. So most of the time, whenever they are confronted by our personnel they try to put up a fight so that ito ang nangyayari sa atin, may mga bloodshed once in a while.
LEILA/PDI: Sir, last na lang po. Sir, so far, papano—how would you assess iyong pagbabalik ng PNP sa drug war, sir?
PCSUPT. BULALACAO: So far okay naman itong ano namin ngayon, nagiging maayos naman ang kampanya ng Philippine National Police laban sa illegal na droga at kung inyong mapapansin, comparing with the previous oplan of the PNP, mas mababa na ngayon ang recorded deaths in so far as anti drugs campaign is concerned.
VIVIENNE/ABS-CBN: Good morning, sir Bulalacao. I just would like to ask kung how if the PNP will cooperate with the ICC’s examination and to what extent will PNP’s cooperation be?
PCSUPT. BULALACAO: I think the… Malacañang has spoken about the position of the government in so far as this ICC is concerned. The Philippine National Police does not want to muddle the issue anymore and we are keeping a distance from it right now.
ROSALIE COZ/UNTV: Hi sir, good morning po. Kunin lang po namin iyong side ng PNP, kasi si Senator Trillanes sinight (cite) niya iyon pong report ng PNP kaya niya po sinabing most dangerous city ang Davao. So, sa side po ba ng PNP pinamamalian n’yo po ba iyong sinabi niya or ano po iyong data na pinagbatayan niya? Galing po ba talaga sa PNP iyon?
PCSUPT. BULALACAO: Hindi namin alam kung saang data niya kinuha iyong kanyang pinagbabasehan ng kanyang salaysay. Kung inyong mapapansin mula nung magsagawa tayo ng intensified campaign against illegal drugs, ang crime incidents in the whole country have also significantly went down, also went down significantly.
As we attribute this to the anti-drugs efforts of the government at—because we believe that kadalasan sa mga involved sa criminal acts are those who are using drugs as well. So most of these, iyong mga snatchers, iyong mga rapists and even murderers were found to be involved in illegal drugs.
ROSALIE/UNTV: Sir, iyong sinight (cite) niya pong data is from 2010 to 2015 na Davao City Mayor pa po si Pangulo?
PCSUPT. BULALACAO: I have no idea kung ano iyong data na iyon; but nevertheless we will find out and we will give you the reason why Senator Trillanes mentioned it.
JHOANNA/INQ. NET: My question is for Sir Derrick and Spox Bulalacao ‘no. Sir, kasi merong, from December to—since bumalik ang PNP sa drug war na may 53 na namatay at doon sa ilang buwan po na pananatili ng PDEA doon sa drug war, pag-lead ng PDEA doon sa drug war, I believe there’s only a small portion doon sa casualties iyong nangyari sa PDEA operations, iyong mga namatay doon.
I would like to know, ano po iyong ginagawa—ano iyong meron sa PDEA kung bakit konti lang po iyong namamatay sa PDEA operations compared doon sa PNP drug operations.
PCSUPT. BULALACAO: Sa Philippine National Police inaasahan natin na mas marami ang mamamatay dahil mas marami kaming operations na isinasagawa. In fact, according to records, the PNP has conducted almost 96% of the total operations conducted by both PDEA and other law enforcement agencies and the PNP.
So 96% of the total operations conducted by PDEA, other law enforcement agencies and the Philippine National Police ay nasa Philippine National Police iyon. So we expect na magkakaroon ng mas maraming casualties during operations against illegal drugs.
DIR.CARREON: Okay, Ma’am exactly the same answer as our counterpart in the Philippine National Police. Looking at the figures, they really have or they have contributed a bigger volume of operations because this is precisely why Director General Aaron Aquino requested the the PNP would be allowed to resume their anti-drug operations especially since PDEA’s presence is only up to the regional offices and some skeletal provincial offices.
And so directly proportional din diyan iyong magiging casualties during anti-drug operations because PDEA delivers lesser operations. But we have our share as well.
JHOANNA/INQ.NET: Ilan po, sir?
DIR. CARREON: But during the period when we went solo last year – while the PNP was regrouping – we had two, that was from the period of October 11 to December 5 na operations. We will fetch you the data later. Pero definitely mas maliit, dahil nga mas kaunti iyong operations namin.
ROSE/HATAW: Hi Ma’am, good morning Asec. Meron pong pinirmahang Department Circular No. 12 nung May 2, 2012 si dating Justice Secretary Liela de Lima na puwede raw pong isailalim sa automatic review iyong mga drug cases sa kanyang tanggapan lang po mangyayari.
Iyon po bang department circular na iyon ay na-repeal na or nagkaroon po ba tayo ng case audit kung ilan po iyong nakinabang dito sa Department Order na ito at sa PNP po, may data po ba kayo na iyon pong automatic review ng office noon ni Secretary De Lima ay bumalik po sa kanilang illegal drugs trade?
Kasi parang ang natatandaan ko po noon, meron pong mga high-value targets parang nag-avail po sa automatic review na iyon.
DIR. CARREON: We will check on that, Ma’am.
ASEC. BANAAG: Okay. If I may answer on the Department Circular 12 sa Department of Justice. Actually we’re supposed to have Secretary Aguirre, pero biglang may pupuntahan siya.
So next na presscon po ng Real Numbers, he will be here to answer for the data. But we already looked into and we are gathering data from the Prosecutorial Services kung may mga kaso at ilan iyong mga kaso during those times at sinu-sino iyong mga tao na na-release kung meron man during that period of time.
Also, I’d like to add on doon sa question kanina po doon sa operations. Mula nung last time na nag-presscon tayo iyong sa Real Numbers last January 17 up to now, up to February 8 po iyong cutoff date ng data ngayon. We have a total operations conducted po na 3,149. Doon sa increase ng 3,149 na drug… anti-illegal drugs operation po ng PNP, PDEA at NBI, makikita n’yo po diyan kung gaano kaigting iyong nationwide na pag-o-operate po sila. So 22 days lang po ang pagitan niyan. At ganoon kalawak.
ROCKY: Okay, thank you, sir’s. Thank you Assistant Secretary Marie Banaag.
ASEC. BANAAG: Happy Valentines.
###
Source: PCOO-NIB (News and Information Bureau)
