• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. yesterday conferred an award to PLt. Col. Roberto Indiape, in recognition of his relentless anti-illegal drugs campaign in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental, during the 123rd Police Service Anniversary held on Thursday at Camp Crame in Quezon City.
The Kabankalan City Police Station, under the stewardship of Indiape, got a special award for having the most number of arrests on illegal drugs (City Police Station level, Class C) category, besting 115 component cities all over the country.
In his speech, President Marcos Jr. on Thursday hailed the Philippine National Police (PNP) for conducting lawful, humane, and bloodless police operations in its bid to weed out criminality.
“Our crackdown on illegal drugs, smuggling, illegal gambling, private armed groups, human trafficking, and criminality has also strengthened significantly in ways that are not only effective but legal and lawful,” Marcos said.
“Indeed, police operations are now conducted as humane, as truthful, and as bloodless as possible,” he added.
The President said the PNP’s partnership with the military has led to the neutralization of some 1,951 members of local and communist terrorist groups.
He also cited the police force’s intensified patrol operations and increased police deployment that contributed to lower crime rate, as well as the improved cybersecurity capability of the PNP.
For his part, PNP chief Rommel Marbil said the police remain dedicated to preserving human life while pursuing fights against illegal drugs in the country.
“Our battle against drug abuse transcends mere law enforcement. It fundamentally aims to uphold the very fabric of our society as we pursue our anti-illegal drug campaign targeting high-value targets and identifying drug sources,” Marbil said in his speech.
“Our efforts ensure the well-being and dignity of every member of the community,” he added.
Marbil said around PHP36.5 billion worth of illegal drugs were seized since President Marcos assumed the presidency in July 2022.
“Our anti-illegal drugs campaign has made remarkable strides with the value of drugs seized increasing to approximately PHP36.5 billion between July 1, 2022 and July 31, 2024 to include the PHP9.68 billion in Alitagtag, Batangas, the largest haul in history and the highest recorded seized,” Marbil said.
In this third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 22, President Marcos pledged to continue the bloodless campaign against illegal drugs in the country.
Marbil said the new approach to combat illegal drugs has been effective in earning the trust and confidence of the people.* with PNA report
