Manila: The Philippine National Police (PNP) announced on Tuesday that it has confiscated PHP43.8 billion worth of illegal drugs under the bloodless anti-drug campaign initiated by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s administration from July 2022 to May 17, 2025.
According to Philippines News Agency, PNP information chief Col. Randulf Tua±o highlighted that the PHP43.8 billion seizure surpasses the PHP14.3 billion recorded from July 2016 to May 17, 2019, during former president Rodrigo Duterte's controversial war on drugs. Tua±o emphasized the PNP's strategy to broaden its focus beyond large-scale operations and target smaller drug offenders as well.
Tua±o stated that the PNP is committed to following President Marcos Jr.'s directive, which includes targeting small-time drug offenders. He assured the public that future reports would reflect an increase in arrests of these offenders.
Brig. Gen. Jason Capoy, the officer-in-charge of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group, has been tasked by President Marcos to provide recommendations for executing this directive. Tua±o confirmed that the pursuit of major drug lords continues, with the additional focus on capturing smaller offenders under Gen. Capoy's leadership.
In his third State of the Nation Address in July last year, President Marcos reiterated his commitment to a bloodless anti-narcotics campaign, clearly stating that eradication is not part of the current administration's approach.
