PNP dissolves drug units, shifts focus to ‘riding-in-tandem’ criminals

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has dissolved all its drug enforcement units (DEU) following President Rodrigo Duterte's order tasking the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to take the lead in anti-illegal drug operations. 

“For this matter, all DEUs from police regional offices down to police stations are hereby dissolved,” PNP Directorate of Operations chief Director Camilo Pancratius Cascolan said in an order Thursday.

He said this was upon the order of PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa.

With the order of the President, the implementation of Project Double Barrel and Oplan Tokhang were also suspended.

Cascolan said the DEUs may be converted to detectives or police intelligence operatives responsible for detection, prevention and solution of street crimes.

“Just be advised to vet properly your members,” he reminded police station chiefs.

Cascolan said the PNP Drug Enforcement Group will remain but will now be limited to intelligence consolidation and gathering.

The information that will be gathered will be submitted immediately to PDEA, he said, adding cases under investigation, once found to be drug-related, shall be immediately transferred to PDEA.

Cascolan reiterated that the PNP will now focus on decreasing, if not stopping, street crimes. “This shall henceforth be the focus of evaluation,” he said.

He said one of the major street crimes now destroying the reputation and credibility of the PNP is the non-stop occurrence of "riding in tandem" or motorcycle-riding suspects involved in shooting incidents.

“Let us focus our law enforcement activities on decreasing our street crimes as this is where we are perceived by the community vis a vis our initiatives and efforts,” he said.

He said the order of the President would give the PNP a chance to evaluate itself.

“Ano ba ang mga ginagawa naming tama kung sakaling ibabalik din po itong Double Barrel sa amin tulad noong nangyari noong Marso? Ano ‘yung pwede naming implement at at least mas maganda naman ang ating anti-illegal drug campaign,” he said.

“At least sa mga tao natin, lalo nating mamo-monitor, ma-update kung sino talaga ang nagtatrabaho sa atin. Makikita natin kung ang suporta ang komunidad lalo po nating makukuha. If ever ibalik yan, mas lalo nating mapapaghandaan ang kampanya laban sa iligal na droga,” he added. —KBK, GMA News