President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. emphasized on Tuesday that tackling criminality and illegal drugs does not require a violent approach. Speaking at the Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City while endorsing the administration-backed Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas Senate slate, Marcos dismissed the need for bloodshed in law enforcement efforts.
“In the fight against crime and drugs, we don’t need a bloody solution. We do not believe that the answer is to take the lives of thousands of Filipinos. There is a proper way to ensure peace and order,” Marcos was quoted as saying by Inquirer.net.
While he did not mention specific individuals, his remarks contrast with the controversial anti-drug campaign of former President Rodrigo Duterte, which has been the subject of accusations of crimes against humanity before the International Criminal Court.
Marcos underscored that strengthening law enforcement through well-implemented policies and proper legislation is the key to addressing crime and illegal drugs.
According to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, 6,252 individuals were killed in anti-drug operations from July 2016 to May 2022. However, a 2017 report attributed to the Office of the President indicated that over 20,000 deaths occurred in just the first 17 months of the Duterte administration.
