Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa expressed disappointment over the resurgence of illegal drugs in the country.
Comparing the Duterte administration’s anti-drug campaign to the current administration’s efforts, Dela Rosa noted a stark difference.
“Ang daming tao na nagsasabi na nagpapasalamat sila sa war on drugs dahil safe na ‘yung kanilang environment. So, for us, it’s a great success,” the former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief said.
He described the current drug situation as “worse.”
“Malala! Tanungin mo ang mga barangay kapitan, pumunta ka. Pumunta ka do’n sa ground…Wala kang maririnig na barangay kapitan na magsabi na, ‘Sir, okay ang aming sitwasyon sa drugs. Perfect na, wala nang problema’,” according to him.
“Halos lahat magsasabi sa’yo [kahit] hindi nga natin tinatanong eh, lalapit sa atin at magsusumbong. ‘Sir, andiyan na naman sila, Sir. Nagkakalat na naman. Noon nagsipaglayasan ‘yan, nagsipagtago. Ngayon, andiyan nanaman, parang candy nanaman na binebenta ‘yung drugs sa kalsada’,” he added.
During the past administration, Dela Rosa said that around 1.6 million drug-linked individuals surrendered, and at least 300,000 were arrested.
He defended the stringent approach of the Duterte drug war, saying it was necessary to safeguard future generations.IMT
