Drug killings 95% lower than in previous admin

The number of deaths recorded under the Marcos administration's war on drugs has decreased by over 95 percent, in contrast to the bloody anti-drug campaign of his predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte.

- EMMANUEL TUPAS

Data from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) showed that 195 drug suspects were killed in alleged gunfights with anti-narcotics agents from July 1, 2022 to Dec. 31, 2023.

The figure is way below the 3,968 suspected drug pushers and users killed during the same period under the administration of Duterte, for a decrease of 95.08 percent.

There were also fewer drug pects arrested, from 119,058 to 75,880, for a drop of 36.26 percent.

The PDEA attributed the decrease in drug deaths to a pivotal shift, from a "harsh approach at the time of Duterte's drug war to the present campaign where heightened attention on the conduct of intelligence based anti-narcotics operations is given much emphasis." The PDEA said the use of nonviolent methods in arresting drug suspects led to a significant drop in deaths.