FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija — President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday said he will eventually return to the Philippine National Police (PNP) the conduct of anti-drug operations in the country.

Duterte had earlier given the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) the sole authority to lead the government’s war on drugs due to mounting public criticisms against the police over drug-related killings, particularly in several cases involving teenagers.

“As of now, just to parry, nilagay ko sa (I gave it to) PDEA. Whether I like it or not, I have to return that power to the police because surely it will increase the [drug] activity,” he said in a speech before soldiers here

The President had earlier said he would return jurisdiction over his controversial war on drugs to the PNP if PDEA fails to address the illegal drug trade in the country. /je

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