Senate leaders back new tack vs illegal drugs

THE Senate leadership backed the «new strategy» of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to combat substance abuse by cutting off the supply chain.

Senate President Francis Escudero, in a text message on Monday, said, «I agree and support this new strategy.»

«From the start, we should have focused on the supply chain given that the raw materials for shabu and cocaine mostly come from abroad,» Escudero said. «And I have always questioned why the PNP catches only the petty pushers and not a single (or several) big drug lord/s.»

The senator said if the PNP succeeds in this, «it will make the supply of drugs scarce and price prohibitive for new and old users and hopefully lower the prevalence of [illegal] drugs and the number of drug users in the country.»

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III said, "[That's] a correct [approach]. Target the 'suppliers.' That is where the real drug lords would be found."

Sen. Ronald dela Rosa, who led the Duterte administration's bloody war on drugs when he was still PNP chief, said, «I wish them good luck. I hope and pray that they will succeed.»

Sen. Robinhood Padilla, an ally of former president Rodrigo Duterte, said the people «simply yearn for law and order.»