More illegal drugs are making their way back to the streets nearly a month after President Duterte suspended police anti-narcotics operations, said an official of the Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO).

According to BPPO spokesman Senior Insp. Vincent Paul Dumaguing, most of the reported illegal narcotics activities in the province are being perpetrated by street level drug pushers.

This was disclosed by Camp Dagohoy’s Provincial Tactical Operations Center which has been receiving reports on the resurgence of illegal drug activities in Bohol, said Dumaguing.

However, the BPPO is yet to determine how far drug personalities have succeeded in reestablishing their drug networks after the months-long intense crackdown on illegal narcotics activities.

The BPPO has also not yet pinpointed whether currently operating drug pushers are newcomers or those that have previously surrendered under Oplan Tokhang.

Police in the province continue to receive intelligence reports on the illegal drug trade but these are relayed to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) instead, Dumaguing said.

The PDEA has taken over Duterte’s anti-drug drive after scandals involving the Philippine National Police prompted the President to focus on cleaning the ranks of the PNP and suspend its anti-drug operations.

Meanwhile, military units have been tasked to support the PDEA in implementing anit-drug operations including those in Bohol.

The PDEA leadership in Bohol however had aired concerns on the lack of personnel and equipment to carry out the agency’s duties at the frontlines of the Duterte administration’s war on drugs. (Rey Tutas)