“It’s doable.” This was the confident opinion of Philippine National Police (PNP) Provincial Police Director Dennis Palo Agustin when asked by DYRD Balita on Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s formula to solve criminality and corruption in three to six months if elected president.
But Agustin placed a caveat on his assessment saying “The police needs the unwavering support of the entire community and government should take a harder look on the manpower and operational needs of the police”.Agustin told DYRD Balita that the success rate in the war against illegal drugs since he took command in August, 2013 is 80%.
According to a report released by the Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO) the total drug haul since August 2013 was 3,079.462 kilos valued at P36,377.651.00.
The police together with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) conducted 959 drug operations that nabbed 1,104 drug suspects that resulted in the filing of 1,157 drug cases in the courts.
But his former Boss, former Director General of the PNP, former Senator Panfilo Lacson said “It’s not doable”.
With the lack of police manpower, the capability of the police will be hobbled with the present ratio of 1 police officer to 1,500 citizens, said Lacson.
Lacson also pointed out that law enforcers need intelligence work to find drug lords and criminals and stressed that crime will stay no matter how effective or efficient our leaders are.
Lacson visited Bohol last month and talked to the Bohol Chronicle staff on different issues facing the country.(Chito M. Visarra)