Bato: War on drugs continues amid pandemic

Former Philippine National Police chief and incumbent Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa on Monday said the administration's campaign against illegal drugs will not be slowed down by the COVID-19 crisis.

“Amidst the pandemic, we certainly have not relegated the war on drugs on the side. This remains a major concern of government that deserves all the support and attention we can give," Dela Rosa, chair of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, said in a statement.

He added that his Senate panel would "leave no stones unturned in seeking better and stronger ways to fight the illegal drug menace."

Dela Rosa made the remark as he lauded the Department of Health's (DOH) recent launch of a hotline for those who are struggling with substance abuse during the pandemic.

"Sa ating mga kababayan na nangangailangan ng drug treatment and rehabilitation, huwag po kayong mag-atubiling humingi ng tulong sa pamamagitan ng bagong helpline na ito ng DOH," he said.

"Nais kong iparating sa inyo na ang inyong pamahalaan ay hindi tumitigil sa pag-aalay ng tulong at suporta sa ating mga kababayan, lalo na sa pagtugon sa mga suliranin na dala ng iligal na droga," he added.

Dela Rosa was the PNP chief when President Rodrigo Duterte launched his controversial campaign against illegal drugs in 2016. The "bloody" anti-drug operations claimed the lives of more than 5,000 drug suspects in the country and has been slammed by several local and international human rights groups.

Meanwhile, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency director general Wilkins Villanueva, who was appointed just last month, said "new protocols" will be observed in the conduct of drug operations to protect the lives of agents amid the health crisis.

"Doon muna kami pupunta sa mga targets na walang COVID kasi marami namang target eh. Uunahin muna namin 'yung walang COVID," Villanueva said.

"Pag-aresto, di kami magfa-face-to-face sa tao. Diba sa droplets nakukuha? Siguro likod-likod or what, so magkakaroon talaga kami ng training," he added. — BM, GMA News