By Paulo Loreto Lim

As members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) prepare to re-enter the campaign against illegal drugs, following the recent memorandum put forward by President Rodrigo Duterte, Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) director, Police Senior Superintendent Marlon Tayaba, vowed more diligence as the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) prepares for reactivation.

“We expect [police officers] will properly handle drug cases and, at the same time, avoid issues of extrajudicial killings [and] planting evidence,” he explained.

Trainings are currently underway, with Tayaba noting, “Rule of law will really be the destination of these trainings.”

Meanwhile, Police Regional Office-6 (PRO-6) recently released new guidelines on conducting the anti-illegal drug campaign, which included mandated training, along with refresher courses on police operational procedure, human rights, evidence handling, among other topics.

Last October, Duterte ordered the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to take control of anti-illegal drug operations./PLL, WDJ