AFTER almost three months since the resumption of the war on drugs, the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) recorded only four personalities who were killed during their legitimate police operations after resisting arrest.

From December 5, 2017 to March 19, 2018, one high-value target suspect and three street level targets were killed in legitimate police operations under Oplan Double Barrel, according to Davao Police spokesperson Senior Inspector Ma. Teresita Gaspan.

Oplan Double Barrel is the anti-illegal drugs campaign of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Gaspan said Tuesday, March 20, that the low death toll showed that this time around, they have made sure that human rights of the suspects are upheld.

However, she said there were instances during operations where the suspects tried to resist arrest and upon noticing imminent danger, arresting officers were forced to fire back for self-defense.

Only the personnel in the Drug Enforcement Unit (DEU) were allowed to conduct anti-drug operations.

The members of the team underwent screening to ensure that they do not have derogatory records. They also had a reorientation on the provisions of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act and the concept of human rights.

Gaspan said there have been a total of 160 anti-illegal drugs operations, as follows: buy bust operations (120), police response (17), implementation of warrant of arrest (13), search warrant (4), and checkpoints (6).

A total of 193 individuals involved in the illegal drug trade were also arrested, including 186 newly identified suspects and seven personalities on their watch list.