The Philippines’ war on drugs won’t be taking a break this Christmas season. In fact, authorities actually want it intensified.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde told reporters yesterday that they’ve never stopped anti-drug operations during Christmas.
“It won’t stop. With illegal drugs, in previous years, there’s not what you call a break when it comes to the fight against illegal drugs,” he said in Filipino, as quoted by The Philippine Daily Inquirer.
According to Albayalde, police continued their operations even on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day last year.
Last week, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Aaron Aquino said that they plan to intensify their crackdown against illegal drugs during the Christmas season.
According to the state-owned Philippine News Agency, the PDEA will conduct operations in “high-end bars, hotels, condominiums, and posh villages” as an attempt to catch those who use party drugs.
The war on drugs has been going on ever since President Rodrigo Duterte became president in 2016. Still, it remains controversial, especially because it has led to thousands of deaths.
Authorities won’t just be going after drug users and pushers during the holidays.
In August, right before the Philippine Christmas season was to start in September, Albayalde said they would launch an intensified anti-crime campaign to suppress crime.
Alabayalde said yesterday that the increased police visibility will be better for the holiday season overall, GMA News reported.
“Once it’s Christmas season, crimes go up, especially crimes against properties, that would be a thing of the past,” Albayalde said.
Guess crime really doesn’t sleep.
