‘7 of 10 cases are drug-related’ – DILG Sec. Abalos

Tabuk City, Kalinga – About seven out of 10 cases in the Philippines are drug-related, according to Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary, Benjamin “Benhur” Abalos Jr.

This means that crimes are often linked to the use of illegal drugs, and if illegal drug use is stopped, then crime rates or cases can be greatly reduced.

Abalos made the statement while he was speaking before the yKalingas on June 14, during the region-wide Buhay Ingatan, Droga'y Ayawan(BIDA) Anniversary Celebration hosted by the province.

To address drug proliferation in the country, the secretary emphasized about supply and demand reduction.

The supply reduction, he said, is on the law enforcers taking charge in arresting these anti-illegal drug offenders. In fact, from January 1, 2023 – March 31, 2024, there have been 57,197 drug operations in the country which led to the arrest of 74,541 individuals.

These efforts of the police and anti-narcotic agents, however, were likened by Abalos to a tree that even its branches are chopped off, another twig will come out.

“Hulihin niya[PNP, PDEA, NBI], pero parang puno yan eh, habang yung sanga pinuputol mo, baka may tumubong bagong puno. Kailangan putulin mo ang ugat. Ang puno ay sumasalamin sa program ng droga, ang sanga yung mga drug pushers,” he said.

This is now where the other factor in addressing drug problems come in, the demand reduction which is the counterpart of the community in the Whole of Nation Approach against illegal drugs. The demand reduction, he said, refers to the people not patronizing illegal drugs.

If the supply and demand reduction go hand in hand, Abalos believed it would be a turning point in the campaign against illegal drugs.

“Makukuha ito sa paghuhuli ng pulis, ng PDEA, ng NBI at the same time lahat tayo gagalaw sa baba upang ang mga anak natin ay hindi na gumamit pa doon pa lang sa baba,” he emphasized.

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