MANILA, May 2 (Xinhua) -- The communications chief of Philippine presidential office said on Tuesday that the government's anti-drug efforts launched 10 months ago are making "enormous strides", adding that the Philippines can now clearly see the results.
"We have made enormous strides," Martin Andanar, Secretary of the Presidential Communications Office, told a forum organized to provide a clearer picture of the results of the government's drive to fight the drug menace that ills the country.
Andanar said illicit drugs have become a serious problem in the Philippines, with estimated 4.7 million drug users in the country.
"The Philippine drug market is an estimated 120 billion pesos (2.4 billion U.S. dollars) drug industry," Andanar said.
Andanar said of the 4.7 million drug users, about 1.3 million have surrendered or a 24.45-percent decreased in the number of estimated total drug market, adding the government's anti-drug campaign has resulted in the reduction of crime index by 28.57 percent.
Nevertheless, Andanar said the drug problem confronting the country requires "herculean efforts."
"There's so much work to be done but we choose to believe that illegal drug trade has met its match, and that is the political will and uncaring resolve of (President Rodrigo Duterte) and his relentless mission to divert our country from the dangerous trajectory of becoming a narco state," Andanar said at the close of the forum.
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director General Isidro Lapena told the forum that the drug problem has become "massive and now poses a threat to the national security."
Police Deputy Director General for Administration Ramon Colet Apolinario said the anti-drug campaign will be further strengthened.
"This will remain enforced. This time with a stronger and more determined implementation," he said.
He also said the forum shall provide for the perfect opportunity to portray the true picture and accurate information as far as the national drug campaign is concerned."
Based on the data released by the Philippine National Police on Tuesday, there are currently 9,432 homicide cases under investigation as far as the government's all-out war against illegal drugs is concerned.
The police noted that, of the 9,432 cases, about 1,847 are drug-related and 1,894 are not drug-related, adding that some 5,691 homicide cases are under investigation.
The Philippine government under Duterte launched the anti-drug campaign when he assumed the presidency on June 30 last year.
