Gov’t shifts anti-drug strategy 

THE MARCOS government will focus on the supply side in its anti-drugs campaign, with an eye on big-time players, according to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

The Philippines for the longest time has been focused on the consumption side, arresting users on streets and during buy-bust operations, said Interior Secretary Juanito Victor “Jonvic” C. Remulla, Jr. at a Palace briefing on Tuesday.

“This time, we are going heavy on the supply side chasing after the big guns, the big suppliers, the main men involved in the importation of drugs,” he added.

“The personalities have been identified; I am not at liberty to discuss it.”

Mr. Remulla, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin C. Remulla, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Chief Moro V. Lazo, and police chief Rommel Francisco D. Marbil met with Mr. Marcos on Monday to discuss “a new strategy towards fighting the war on drugs,” according to the DILG chief.

He said the Muntinlupa City Jail remains the number one source of drug trade in the country.

Authorities are “taking proactive steps” to transfer high-value detainees from the jail to a “maximum security facility somewhere in the Philippines.”

“I think the operations will be set pretty soon and we should see a marked difference in the war against drugs here in the Philippines.” — Kyle Aristophere T. Atienza