Pubdate: Thu, 21 Jul 2016
Source: Philippine Star (Philippines)
Copyright: PhilSTAR Daily Inc. 2016
Contact:  http://www.philstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/622
Author: Cecille Suerte Felipe

AVERAGE 10 PEOPLE KILLED DAILY IN WAR ON DRUGS

In the 20 days since President Duterte took office, about 10 drug 
personalities were killed daily all over the country.

Records of the Philippine National Police (PNP) show that 207 
suspected drug pushers and users were killed from July 1 to 20. PNP 
records also show that 2,789 drug pushers and users were arrested 
while 114,833 surrendered during Duterte's first 20 days in office.

Police conducted 61,806 house visitations to warn drug suspects. PNP 
chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa yesterday led the Special 
Action Force to the New Bilibid Prison to crack down on drug lords 
dictating the trade while serving sentence in prison.

Earlier, Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno ordered 
the PNP to look out for cargo truck drivers and porters who 
reportedly take drugs to handle long trips.

Sueno also directed local government units and local police to watch 
roadside eateries as these are being used as fronts for drug transactions.

He got information that some truck drivers reportedly buy marijuana 
and shabu from small-time drug pushers in roadside eateries where 
they usually stop over for a meal.

"This bad habit of truck drivers of taking illegal drugs to enable 
them to drive long distances is very, very dangerous because as these 
drugs wear off, their driving ability will be impaired, which may 
lead to road accidents," he said.

"The local police and barangay tanods should keep an active watch on 
the possible illegal drug transactions in carinderias along the 
highways whose common patrons are truckers," he added.

He also said drivers who are applying for a license to drive trucks 
should be subjected to regular drug tests so they would not put their 
own safety as well as others' safety at risk.

"It is very challenging to drive long hours especially at night. This 
is why we have to make sure that truck drivers are of sound mind and 
body before they start the long haul," he added.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom