The Philippine National Police (PNP) announced on Friday that a significant crackdown on drug-related offenses within its ranks has led to the dismissal of 108 officers since the inception of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s administration. The PNP’s statement revealed that from July 1, 2022, to January 3, 2024, a total of 289 officers were found to be involved in illegal drug activities.
The disciplinary actions taken against these officers varied, with ten being demoted, sixty receiving suspensions, and three being reprimanded. Additionally, the privileges of 108 members were withheld due to their involvement in drug offenses.
In a recent video message, President Marcos disclosed that 177 police officers in Metro Manila have been charged with drug-related offenses, including serious allegations like evidence planting, unlawful arrests, and excessive violence. The President emphasized the importance of addressing such misconduct among law enforcement officials.
The crackdown is part of a broader initiative by the Marcos administration to combat drug-related crimes in the Philippines. President Marcos mentioned that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has been actively pursuing a large number of court cases related to drug offenses. Between 2022 and 2023, the DOJ handled 151,818 cases, with 121,582 of the accused individuals already incarcerated.