PNP OIC Gamboa wants Top 10 list of high value targets per region

Philippine National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge Police Lieutenant General Archie Francisco Gamboa has ordered police regional offices to submit their Top 10 list of high value targets involved in illegal drugs.

At a press conference on Monday, Gamboa said there would be an intensification of the intelligence-driven anti-illegal drugs campaign against upper and middle-level high value targets involved in trafficking of illegal drugs that are 50 kilograms or more.

"Pinapa-submit namin 'yung regional offices, but initially pina-submit ko sila ng Top Ten but it can go to at least to Top 20 or even more," Gamboa said.

"Kaya ako nagpapa-submit ng Top Ten so that we're able to determine in terms of priority kasi ang una nating gusto ma-identify at ma-neutralize, ibig sabihin ma-applyan natin ng search warrant or mahuli natin sa buy
bust," he added.

Asked about the number of high value targets in the national level, Gamboa said: "Marami... ganon na lang sabihin ko sa inyo."

"Of course meron din kaming priority sa national. There is a continuing appreciation of the drug problem in the regional level and down," he added.

Gamboa also said President Rodrigo Duterte wants the "neutralization" of high value targets to be evidence-based.

"Even the President has a directive yung sa HVTs which you cannot actually neutralize kapag hindi sya evidence-based. So it will be all evidence-based," Gamboa said.

Gamboa reiterated that body cameras would be helpful in maintaining a transparent anti-narcotics campaign. He said the equipment may arrive in April or May this year.

Gamboa said the strengthening of the anti-narcotics campaign would be discussed during the command conference on Tuesday, January 7.

"This will set into motion the flagship campaigns of the PNP against crime, illegal drugs, terrorism and corruption for the next 12 months and beyond," Gamboa said.

According to Gamboa, the PNP is closely monitoring the illegal drugs problem in Regions VI, VII, IX and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region. —KBK, GMA News