6,252 drug suspects slain in ‘shootouts’

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte’s war on illegal drugs has killed at least 6,252 drug suspects in alleged shootouts with lawmen.

Latest data from the government’s RealNumbersPH platform released by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) yesterday showed that 345,216 people with alleged involvement in illegal drugs were arrested in 239,218 operations from July 2016 up to May 2022.

Of this number, 15,271 are considered as high-value targets in the illegal drug trade. Among them are 1,066 government workers composed of 406 elected officials, 533 government employees and 127 uniformed personnel.

Also included are 800 drug group leaders and members, 1,719 drug den maintainers and 24 celebrities and other professionals.

The PDEA and other law enforcement agencies seized around 22,997.75 kilos of shabu, cocaine and marijuana 163,549 ecstasy tablets valued at P89.79 billion.

Up to 25,361 barangays have been cleared of illegal drugs while 10,112 remain drug-affected.

At least 4,414 minors ages four to 17 with alleged involvement in illegal drugs were rescued by the government.

Meanwhile, Senate President Vicente Sotto III said yesterday he is reviving the Citizens’ Drug Watch Foundation to continue pursuing his advocacy against illegal drugs when he becomes a private citizen on June 30.

He plans to invite Duterte to be the foundation’s honorary chairman when he steps down from office. The foundation is focused on prosecution, prevention and rehabilitation.