PBBM: Focus on small-time targets, not just high-level syndicates

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said the government will shift its anti-drug strategy to refocus attention on both high-level syndicates and grassroots offenders amid reports that illegal drug activity resurfaced in some communities.

In a podcast interview on Monday, President Marcos acknowledged that the result of the 2025 midterm elections where only 6 administration-backed senatorial candidates won is a reflection that the public was unhappy with certain government services in the first half of his term.

“As part of the lesson of these elections, let’s go back to the grassroots level because people are concerned that drug addicts and drug pushers have returned to their communities. Let us focus on that,” the President said.

“Let’s focus again on small-time (drug personalities),” he added.

While emphasizing that large-scale operations have led to the seizure of “tons” of shabu and other illegal drugs in recent years, President Marcos admitted dismantling syndicates remains the most difficult task due to the influence and money involved.

“The syndicate includes the police. It includes the local government. There’s a lot of money involved,” he said. “They can buy everyone — judge, prosecutor.”

He, however, said his administration will maintain its departure from the violent tactics associated with the previous administration’s drug war.

“What I avoid is us just having a suspicion or a report, and arresting them and then killing them based on that,” he said. “That’s where we distanced ourselves.”

Asked whether he preferred to be feared or respected, Mr. Marcos replied: “I want to be respected, but maybe fear is better.”

On Tuesday, the Philippine National Police said it seized P43.8 billion worth of illegal drugs under the bloodless anti-drug campaign of President Marcos from July 2022 to May 17, 2025.

In a press briefing at Camp Crame, PNP information chief Col. Randulf Tuaño said the P43.8 billion is higher compared to the P14.3 billion illegal drug haul recorded from July 2016 to May 17, 2019, under the controversial war on drugs of former president Rodrigo Duterte.

“Our figure will still increase. We will not only concentrate on those over one kilo,” Tuaño said.

Tuaño said the PNP will also adhere to the President’s directive to also go after small-time drug offenders.

He said President Marcos has directed Brig. Gen. Jason Capoy, officer-in-charge of the PNP Drug Enforcement Group, to submit recommendations on how to implement the President’s directive.

“We will continue to pursue big drug lords and will add to this the arrest of our small drug offenders, led by our new OIC, Gen. Capoy,” Tuaño said.

During his third State of the Nation Address in July last year, President Marcos pledged to continue the bloodless anti-narcotics drive, emphasizing that extermination is not a part of his administration’s campaign.