Double, triple and, if possible, quadruple your efforts in the anti-drug war because we can’t fail President Rodrigo Duterte in his campaign promise.

This was the latest message of Philippine National Police chief Dir. Gen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa to his men as the PNP enters the second phase of the intensified campaign against drugs which aims to solve the drug menace in six months.

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“We can’t afford to fail the President in his campaign promise to eradicate the drug problem, criminality and corruption within six months. We’re now running out of time,” Dela Rosa said in his speech at Camp Bado Dangwa in La Trinidad, Benguet on Friday.

“Two months have passed already. The remaining four months, I hope we won’t only double, triple, or quadruple our efforts in order for us to hit our target. Otherwise… as I’ve said we can’t afford to fail the Filipino people,” Dela Rosa said.

READ: Bato still unsatisfied with drug war efforts

Yet the police chief bragged about the significant decrease in the average daily crime rate by almost half since July.

Records from the PNP’s Directorate for Investigation and Detection Management (DIDM) showed the daily crime volume decreased by 49 percent since July, the month Dela Rosa assumed office.

READ: 895 dead, almost 13,000 nabbed in anti-drug operations–PNP

The national police commander also reminded his men to ignore criticisms from different sectors amid the government’s bloody drug war, which has resulted in the deaths of over 2,000 drug suspects.

But while brushing aside criticisms, dela Rosa reiterated to the police that in whatever they do, they must always uphold the law and respect human rights.

“Let’s remember that this campaign is just starting. Bagamat marami tayong batikos na naririnig sa ating ginagawa, ipagpatuloy lang natin ang ating kampanya basta lahat ng ginagawa natin ay naaayon sa batas at sa paggalang sa karapatang pantao (Although we are receiving a lot criticisms in what we do, let us continue our campaign as long as we uphold the law and respect human rights),” he said.

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“What’s important is that more and more of our countrymen, especially the youth are now being saved from the evil brought by illegal drug abuse at marami na ring magulang ang natutuwa na ang kanilang anak ay nalalayo sa illegal drugs (and many parents are happy that their children are getting away from illegal drugs),” Dela Rosa added. RAM/rga

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