PHILIPPINE National Police chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil said Sunday that the agency has shifted the focus of its anti-illegal drugs operations from cutting off the “head” or the primary sources to “destroying the body” or the whole drug supply chain.
Marbil said that the implementation approach is designed to be a “more effective and less bloody” campaign by putting premium on human rights and addressing the drug problem at its very core.
He elaborated on the drug problem by characterizing it as a complex issue, comparing it to the mythical Hydra, where cutting off one head causes more to grow in its place.
PNP chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil. PHOTO FROM PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE
“Our previous strategies concentrated too much on cutting off the heads, but we need to target the body — the entire supply chain and the sources driving the drug trade,” he said.
He said that the recalibrated strategy will involve intensified intelligence operations and stronger community engagement to identify and dismantle drug trafficking networks.
“We are now focusing on high-value drug personalities and the movements of illegal drugs across the country. These are the real targets — those who orchestrate the trade and profit from it, not the street-level pushers and users, who are often victims of circumstance,” he pointed out.
Marbil underscored the importance of minimizing violence in this new approach.
“We aim to address the drug problem without resorting to bloodshed. By focusing on the real culprits and protecting the victims, we can make our communities safer while respecting human rights,” he said.
This strategy shift aligns with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s vision for a safer and more secure Philippines. Marbil said that this recalibrated strategy is a crucial step toward achieving that objective.
“With this approach, we are not only saving lives but also working toward a better future for our nation. We are committed to addressing the drug issue with compassion, strategy, and adherence to the rule of law,” the official said.
The recalibrated strategy will involve intensified intelligence operations and stronger community engagement to identify and dismantle drug trafficking networks, he added.
Be the first to comment