P74 billion drugs seized since 2016 – Año

MANILA, Philippines — At least P74.3 billion worth of illegal drugs have been confiscated since the Duterte administration launched the war on drugs in 2016, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año reported yesterday.

Año said over 15,000 kilos of shabu, marijuana and Ecstasy tablets were destroyed by authorities to stop recycling of evidence.

He said 982 dens and 18 clandestine laboratories were dismantled.

Last week, President Duterte ordered the Department of the Interior and Local Government to prepare a drug war report, which could be presented to the International Criminal Court.

Reacting to Año’s report, Duterte reiterated that he is ready to die because of his campaign against drugs and that he is determined to kill those involved in the illegal drug trade.

The Duterte administration has been criticized for its drug war that has killed 6,221 suspects.

Despite the criticism, Año said the war on drugs helped curb crimes.

He said the country’s crime volume dropped by almost 41 percent. Crime solution efficiency increased to 85 percent.

Año said the government has set up over 42,000 anti-drug abuse councils in barangays accross the country.

He said 23,686 barangays have been declared drug-free.

Año also touted the Philippines’ ranking in the Gallup World Law and Order that placed the country along the ranks of Australia, New Zealand, Poland and Serbia.

He said the drug war has garnered a net satisfaction rating of 68 percent among Filipinos.