Manila: Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Nicolas Torre III on Friday ordered Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADACs) to take a stronger, more proactive role in shielding their communities from the scourge of illegal drugs, stressing that real and lasting success in the anti-drug campaign begins at the grassroots level.
According to Philippines News Agency, Torre emphasized that while the PNP continues precision-targeted operations against drug syndicates and both high-value and street-level offenders, the lasting solution lies in mobilizing communities as active partners in prevention, rehabilitation, and sustained vigilance.
"Every barangay is a frontline post in our battle against illegal drugs. BADACs are not just administrative bodies -- they are the sentinels of their communities. We count on them to lead both in preventing the spread of illegal drugs and in giving hope to those willing to turn their lives around," Torre said.
Torre pointed out that barangay officials and residents have the unique advantage of knowing the realities on the ground-who is vulnerable, who needs intervention, and who preys on the community through the illegal drug trade.
"BADAC members are the eyes, ears, and conscience of their barangays. They can identify threats early and mobilize the right support systems. This is where prevention begins, and prevention is always better than cure," he added.
The recalibrated national anti-drug strategy integrates intensified law enforcement with community-centered rehabilitation programs, aiming to neutralize drug sources while offering genuine opportunities for recovery to affected individuals.
The country's top cop stressed that the fight is not defined solely by arrests or drug seizures, but by safer streets, restored trust, and lives reclaimed from addiction.
"Illegal drugs erode families, destroy futures, and weaken the nation from within. By empowering BADACs, we are building a shield that no syndicate can easily penetrate," he said.
A total of PHP83 billion worth of illegal drugs have been seized and 153,000 suspects arrested since President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. assumed office in 2022.
