“Hitler massacred 3 million Jews … now there are 3 million drug addicts. I’d be happy to slaughter them.” as said by Rodrigo Duterte during a September 2016 press conference. For over decades of years, the Philippines is still undergoing one of the most pressing problems of the country which is the rising number of people using illegal drugs. The War on Drugs that was introduced by Duterte administration gave us a glimpse on how most of the Filipino core families and their communities are affected by it positively. Compared to the former presidents of the Philippines, Duterte has the greatest and fastest effect on lowering the number of illegal drug users, dealers and suppliers. This is why Duterte administration’s War on Drugs should be considered successful.
Months after the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte, the War on Drugs of his administration had greatly affected the reduction of illegal drug use. The War on Drugs made communities and young people safer and better protected from illegal drugs. According to the PDEA Director General, Isidro Lapeña, during the first year of the Duterte administration, 86,984 drug suspects were arrested during the first year of the Duterte administration, compared to the 18,766 suspects arrested in the first year of the previous administration. Crime rate in our country have dramatically decreased since the reign of Duterte administration. All crimes dropped by 9.8% during Duterte’s first year in office, according to data from the Philippine National Police (PNP). Duterte has also courageously and rightfully identified the involvement of politicians in the drug trade. Long before his arrival in the national scene, government officials have been exposed in participating or protecting the drug trade, but previous presidents have turned a blind eye.
Another reason why the War on Drugs of Duterte administration should be considered successful is because it gave Filipinos more awareness, fear and tighter security. Filipinos are now aware that the government is focused on people using illegal drugs and they are now wary about getting them. The next generation will be discouraged in participating to any illegal drug-related activities because of the fear that the Duterte administration creates. It also promoted tighter security just by having the presence of more police in every corner, it prevented illegal drug transactions from happening.
127 our experts are availableright now
Since the start of the rising number of people using illegal drugs, protectors and syndicates has also risen, but because of the War on Drugs of the Duterte administration, many are eradicated. At least 302 government workers with alleged links to drugs were also arrested during Duterte’s first year in power. The government also efforts to cleanse the PNP scalawags. With regard to the PNP’s internal cleansing efforts, the administration reported that 426 policemen have been recommended for dismissal because of various offenses.
Through the eradication of these scalawags, PNP will have better and more trusted police officials.
In conclusion, the war on drugs of the Duterte administration should be considered successful. Almost 3 years have already passed since the reign of Duterte administration and a lot have been achieved. In those 3 years, they have been able to reduce the illegal drug use, gave tighter security and realization to the people, and made a better government that is free from drug protectors. The war on drugs should not stop; the fight will go on. And all of us will be there to win it.
References
- Philstar – Duterte compares drug users to Jews in the Holocaust
- Inquirer.net – Duterte to release list of politicians involved in drugs
- CNN Philippines – Illegal drug seizures up 1,000% at Ninoy Aquino International Airport under Duterte gov’t
- GMA News Online – Philippine Dialogue Centre receives Gold Award for Duterte’s war on drugs narratives
