Turnaround

AMID President Rodrigo Duterte’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs, the Philippine National Police (PNP) proudly reported that the country has also seen a downward trend in crime in the first half of 2016.
“We are seeing the reduction of street crimes, particularly crimes against property metro-wide,” Chief Supt. Oscar Albayalde said.
Albayalde said that the significant decline in Metro Manila’s crime was due to the implementation of “Oplan Tokhang” and “Double Barrel,” the government’s drive against illegal drugs.
According to Inquirer.net, “Oplan Double Barrel” is the government’s blueprint for its drug war, which supposedly involves exposing the “upper barrel” to capture “high-value” and supply-side targets; and the “lower barrel” to eliminate “low-value” and demand-side targets.
“Tokhang,” which was first launched in Davao City in 2012, is a combination of “toktok” or knock and “hangyo” or to plead or request.
In the last month, authorities have reported a total of 402 drugs suspects killed, 5,418 suspects arrested and 565,806 others who have surrendered.
Albayalde said that the weekly crime trend data from July 1- 19, 2016 reflected the significant decrease of street crimes compared with the data recorded on the first semester of 2016. Other forms of index crimes against persons and properties correlated to illegal drugs have also been reduced.
Meanwhile, beginning this week, an emergency 911 hotline has been formally activated to immediately provide police assistance to the people. The 24 hour-hotline is also available for fire and medical emergencies.
Since its activation, various calls for emergencies were received by the emergency hotline, such as ambulance assistance, vehicular accidents, petty harassment and civil disturbances, drag racing, drinking in public places, and drug pushing, among others.
It seems that the PNP will help the president fulfill his promise of suppressing illegal drugs and criminality in the country within three to six months.
The agency also vowed to clean up its ranks. Of the 16,000 police officers drug tested, 11 were found positive. They were relieved from their posts and now under investigation.
While these recent reports have been fairly positive, it would also be good for both the PNP and the government to look into the recent spike in killings of suspected drug dealers and users unidentified gunmen.  This alleged vigilante killings incited fear among the citizenry.
Currently, the country has 160,000 policemen manning the streets for a population of 102.3 million or a ratio of one cop for every 640 people. For the PNP to further ensure the public’s safety and purging misfits from the streets, policemen must be reminded to perform their duties based on respect for the sanctity of life and human rights. (AJPress)