Duterte says PDEA to handle all anti-drugs ops

President Rodrigo Duterte has tasked the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to lead the war on drugs.

In a memorandum signed October 10, Duterte told law enforcement agencies, including the Philippine National Police as well as all ad hoc task forces, to let PDEA "as sole agency" to conduct anti-illegal drugs campaign and operations.

"The PNP shall, at all times, maintain police visibility, as a deterrent to illegal drug activities leaving to the PDEA, however, the conduct of anti-illegal drug operations as aforestated," the memorandum read.

The President cited Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 where it said that PDEA should be the lead agency when investigations of the National Bureau of Investigation, PNP, and others found to be in violation of the said act.

President Duterte in new memo tasked PDEA to lead anti-drugs ops | via @trishamacas pic.twitter.com/rJ7Ho4Ccts

— GMA News (@gmanews) October 11, 2017

Reached for comment, PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Dionardo Carlos said they "will follow the order of the commander-in-chief and Chief Executive," referring to Duterte. 

From July 1, 2016 to Sept. 15, 2017, a total of 3,850 drug suspects died in police operations. Authorities have maintained that these suspects fought it out with arresting officers.

Meanwhile, 85 police officers and soldiers have been killed while conducting anti-illegal drug operations while 204 have been critically wounded.

As of September 26, a total of 1,308,078 drug suspects have surrendered while 113,932 have been arrested. — with Amita Legaspi/RSJ, GMA News