LP senators to block PNP budget over drug war campaign

Liberal Party (LP) senators on Friday said they will block the P900-million budget of the Philippine National Police (PNP) for its anti-drug war campaign unless it presents alternative strategies.

In a statement, the LP senators said the PNP is asking for a “drastic” budget increase from P20 million to P900 million in 2018 for the Oplan Double Barrel, Reloaded.

“We will reject the 4,400-percent increase in the budget for Oplan Tokhang (also called Oplan Double Barrel Reloaded) if the PNP will insist on continuing the oplan that has already claimed thousands of lives, including young victims,” Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said.

“Kailangan nating matiyak na ang pondong ito ay hindi ginagamit o gagamitin bilang pagkukunan ng gantimpala ng pamahalaan sa mga alagad ng batas para pumatay ng kapwa Pilipino sa madugo at mapang-abusong giyerang ito kontra droga,” Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, president of the LP, added.

The PNP relaunched last March 7 its anti-illegal drugs campaign Oplan Double Barrel, now dubbed Oplan Double Barrel, Reloaded.

Under a modified approach, the "Double Barrel, Reloaded" is hoped to have a well-coordinated execution of its anti-drug operations, and with focus on high-value targets like drug manufacturers, traffickers and drug lords.

Killings

The LP made the statement following the recent killings of teenagers.

Last month, 17-year-old Kian Loyd delos Santos was killed during an anti-drug operation in Caloocan City. Police claimed that Delos Santos fired back at them but CCTV video footage showed two policemen dragging the victim before he was found dead nearby.

More recently, 19-year-old Carl Angelo Arnaiz was killed after he allegedly exchanged gunfire with policemen after robbing a taxi driver. Forensic examination, however, showed that Arnaiz was handcuffed and was on his knees when he was shot two to three times in the chest.

The body of Reynaldo de Guzman, the 14-year-old companion of Arnaiz when he was last seen alive last Aug. 17, meanwhile, was discovered in Gapan, Nueva Ecija earlier this week. De Guzman sustained over 20 stab wounds and his face was covered with packaging tape.

"Filipinos deserve better solutions to the drug menace. We should be capable of developing solutions that leverage on the strength our families, our communities and our passionate young Filipinos, instead of this over-reliance on violence," said Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV said. 

"Our taxes should be spent to empower Filipinos to overcome poverty and serve their communities, not on a bloody war that breeds fear and suffering,” he added. — Kathrina Charmaine Alvarez/RSJ, GMA News