Philippine Constabulary may be reactivated for drug war

MANILA, Philippines – After the Philippine National Police suspended its operations in the campaign against illegal drugs, Malacañang disclosed “another project” may be reactivated to sustain the program.

In a press briefing, Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella clarified on Tuesday the war on drugs is still ongoing but will be handled by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

The PDEA, however, will be supplemented by a defunct law enforcement agency since it has fewer personnel than the PNP does.

“The impression is the operation stopped. No. The PNP has been asked to desist from engaging in anti-drug operations, but it will continue under the PDEA,” the spokesperson said.

”Nothing is official yet, but the forces will be supplemented, supplemented through another project coming up,” he added.

Pressed by reporters, Abella later on revealed it was the infamous Philippine Constabulary.

“It's not yet official, the Philippine Constabulary may be reactivated,” he said.

The PC was established in 1901 to maintain peace and order in the country, but it was abolished in the 1990s and replaced by the PNP. It had a reputation for abuse of power during the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos.

Republic Act No. 6975 led to the formation of now PNP in 1991 under the Department of the Interior and Local Government.

Abella said Duterte talked about reactivating the constabulary during a command conference but clarified that it was just an idea.

He added there is no timeline for the reactivation of the PC and it is not yet clear if which agency will it fall under.