By Katrina Gracia Consebido
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. reaffirmed on Friday, Jan. 6, his administration’s commitment to address the illegal drug problem in the country through a different approach involving the cleansing of Philippine National Police (PNP) ranks.
In an interview in his inspection at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3, Marcos mentioned that some PNP officials might be involved in the drug problem.
“We were planning this for a while… Remember during the campaign, ‘nung tinatanong ako kung ano ang gagawin natin tungkol sa drug war or drug problem. This is it. We approached it in [an] entirely different way,” he said.
“Alam naman natin na yung problema sa drugs hindi mangyayari ‘yan kung hindi kasabwat yung mga iba dyan sa pulis,” he added.
The President said they are closely looking at officials who are allegedly involved in illegal drugs.
“Kaya’t kailangan natin tingnan natin na mabuti sino ba talaga ang kasabwat dyan, sino ba talaga ang involved, at sinong hindi na talaga pwedeng magserbisyo dahil associated na sila sa mga drug lord,” he said.
“We are just cleansing the ranks and trying to see and making sure that yung mga opisyal na natitira sa atin eh maaasahan natin at nagtatrabaho para sa gobyerno, hindi nagtatrabaho para sa ibang sindikato,” he added.
On Wednesday, Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos appealed to all police officials from the rank of full colonel up to generals to submit their courtesy resignation. -ag
