'Shock and awe' has failed in Philippines drug war, enforcement chief says
The anti-drugs strategy has mostly targeted low-level operatives
Reuters (UK)
Friday, February 7, 2020
Friday, February 7, 2020
Colonel Romeo Caramat, the head of drug enforcement for the Philippine National Police, said that ultra-violent approach to curbing illicit drugs had not been effective. “Shock and awe definitely did not work,” he said. “Drug supply is still rampant.” Caramat said the volume of crime had decreased as a result of the drug war, but users could still buy illegal drugs “any time, anywhere” in the Philippines. He said he now favored a new strategy. Rather than quickly arresting or killing low-level pushers and couriers, he wants to put them under surveillance in the hope they lead police to “big drug bosses”.
