Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is likely to put the Philippine National Police (PNP) in charge of the drug war again soon, his spokesman said on Thursday.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is likely to put the Philippine National Police (PNP) in charge of the drug war again instead of the Philippines Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). (Photo: EPA/VNA)

Duterte’s spokesman Harry Roque said that the move aims to ensure success of the anti-drug campaign.

”A decision will soon be made,” Roque noted, adding that there is good possibility that the PNP will take lead in the campaign.

Duterte, who won Philippine presidential election in 2016 with his pledge to tackle illegal drugs in the Southeast Asian country, is running an anti-drug campaign led by the PNP with tough measures against drug addicts.

Last month, Durterte demoted the PNP from leading the war on drugs amidst growing criticism of a bloody crackdown on drug addicts and gave the responsibility to the Philippines Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

However, he said on 22 November that the PDEA did not fulfill its mission and the PNP must take its place.

(Source: VNA)