MANILA: The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday committed to intensifying the battle against illegal drugs while upholding basic human rights, as emphasized by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in his State of the Nation Address (SONA). President Marcos highlighted that extermination was never part of the strategy, focusing instead on the '8 Es' of an effective anti-drug campaign. According to Philippines News Agency, the DOJ plans to collaborate with other government bodies to combat illegal drugs while ensuring community safety. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla reiterated the DOJ's dedication to the 'Bloodless Drug War' and pledged to uphold the rule of law. His statement followed a meeting with officials from the DOJ, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and Philippine National Police (PNP) to devise strategies for tackling narcotics and illicit substances. The DOJ supports the DILG's focus on targeting the supply side of the drug trade. A PNP report to the President showed a significant drop in crimes, particularly those drug-related, from July 2022 to January 2024. The total crimes recorded were 324,368, a 10.66 percent decrease from the previous period. Justice Secretary Remulla emphasized the DOJ's commitment to combating drug-related crimes and announced measures to expedite the transfer of high-profile drug convicts from New Bilibid Prison to regional facilities. This move aims to prevent the continued production of illegal substances within the national penitentiary. Remulla assured BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. of full support in speeding up the transfer process.