NorMin police: 44 drug suspects dead in 1,313 operations

FORTY-FOUR drug suspects have been killed in police operations in Northern Mindanao since the start of President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, the region’s former top official said Tuesday, December 20.

Former Police Regional Office director Noel Constantino said all 44 died after fighting law enforcers during legitimate operations.

Constantino, now the director of the Directorate for Police Community Relations (DPCR) in Camp Crame, said data from the Police Regional Office-Northern Mindanao show that from July 1 to December 16 this year, police across the region conducted some 1,313 operations which resulted to the death of 44 suspects and the arrest of 2,028 drug suspects.

Constantino said nearly 2,000 cases of violations of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act were filed in different courts.

“The 44 illegal drug personalities fought it out with the police were shot and unfortunately killed,” Constantino said.

He said policemen in the region visited over a million houses as part of the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Oplan Tokhang (Toktok-Hangyo or knock and plead).

Oplan Tokhang is a component of Project Double Barrel, the PNP’s intensified anti-illegal drugs campaign.

He said more than 81,000 drug dependents all over the region have submitted themselves to the police.

But Constantino admitted a number of Tokhang surrenderees have resumed their old ways.

Because of this, Constantino emphasized the campaign against illegal drugs should not end in the conduct of Tokhang as much work remains n terms of putting in place an effective rehabilitation program.

“We showed that there is life after Tokhang as we launched the Camp based rehab program,” He said during his valedictory speech.

The new DPCR director made the statements during Tuesday’s change of command at the regional headquarters.

Constantino has been replaced by Chief Superintendent Agripino Javier.

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