We are pleased to report that the drug surrenderers have now breached the one million mark.  Figures from the Philippine National Police (PNP) show that from the period July 1 to December 31, the total number of drug surrenderers is 1,007,153.  

These pushers and users voluntarily surrendered through the continuous efforts and relentless operations of the PNP to curtail the illegal drug trade in the country in line with the President’s directive.

Without a doubt the President’s anti-drug war is a success.  It is evident we are hitting the mark in our campaign against illegal drugs.  But more than statistics, the real score in the government’s intensified anti-drug operations is that it has pulled down the country’s crime rate by 32%. 

It is therefore not surprising that the people’s satisfaction, approval and trust of the President remain high.  People feel safer in the streets and at night because the number of theft, carjacking, robbery, rape, physical injury has decreased.  At the end of the day, this is what counts.  Thus, there will be no let-up and we shall continue to seize the momentum until the last drug pusher is out of the street.

Alongside the successful police operations is the treatment and rehabilitation of drug addicts.  We have already moved on with the second phase of the drug war with the inauguration of the mega drug rehabilitation facility in Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija.  We expect this to be in full gear by 2017 as we shift from the national security mode into the public health mode in our war against illegal drugs.