MANILA – The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday pledged to intensify the fight against illegal drugs without compromising basic human rights and respect for the dignity of every individual, as President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. stressed. during his previous State of the Nation Address (SONA).

“Our bloodless war against dangerous drugs adheres and will continue to adhere to the established ‘8 E’s’ of an effective strategy to combat illegal drugs. Extermination was never part of it,” Marcos said in his 3rd SONA in July.

“The DOJ is committed to continuing to increase its collaborative efforts with other government agencies to combat illegal drugs and keep our communities safe. Let me take this opportunity to reiterate that the Department of Justice is one with the “bloodless war” waged by the current administration and that we will always play our primary role in combating the menace drugs by firmly upholding the rule of law,” said Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla. a press release.

Remulla made the statement after the President’s meeting on Tuesday with officials from the DOJ, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to formulate strategies on how to strengthen the country’s fight against dangerous narcotics and other illicit substances.

He also pledged his full support to the DILG’s call to focus the government’s anti-illegal drug campaign on the supply side rather than the consumer.

An earlier report submitted by the PNP to the President showed that the total number of crimes recorded between July 1, 2022 and January 31, 2024 dropped to 324,368, 10.66 percent lower than the 363,075 crimes recorded between 1 December 2020. and June 30, 2022.

“These crimes, which have declined in number, are categorically considered drug crimes and, despite the current administration’s significant victory against the threat of dangerous drugs, DOJ vows to keep its foot on the accelerator by continually finding ways to effectively combat this scourge. authors behind them,” Remulla said.

Meanwhile, the Chief Justice ordered the Bureau of Corrections (BuCor) to expedite the transfer of drug personalities detained at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) to regional prison facilities in order to put an end to the alleged continuous production of illicit substances within the national penitentiary.

“Expedite the planned transfer of illegal drug convicts to our regional prisons. You have our full support,” Remulla told BuCor Director General Gregorio Catapang Jr. (ANP)