Richard Gomez’s passionate defense of the drug war’s effectiveness hasn’t received much attention from mainstream media. His statements, which emphasize improvements in Ormoc City and highlight the success of the anti-drug campaign at the local level, seem to have been covered more in niche or smaller outlets rather than being widely reported. This could be due to media focus on other pressing national issues, or it may reflect differing editorial priorities.
The sentiment he expressed, however, reflects a strong belief in the tangible benefits of the government’s efforts, despite broader criticisms. His statements primarily resonate within local and social media discussions, especially as he directly addressed PDEA and other critics during hearings, defending the results of the campaign in his constituency.
He stressed that it’s inaccurate to say that the government’s fight against illegal drugs has been ineffective. According to him, significant progress was made in reducing drug-related problems, and the campaign resulted in a decrease in crime and drug use in areas that were previously struggling with these issues. His sentiment counters criticism of the war on drugs, which has faced backlash for its alleged human rights violations.
During a congressional session, Gomez passionately criticized claims from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) suggesting that the campaign was not successful. He expressed frustration with these claims, emphasizing that the local outcomes in Ormoc demonstrated the positive impact of the campaign
Ormoc City former Mayor and now Congressman Richard Gomez highlighted a significant outcome of the Philippine government’s drug war in his area, stating that 900 drug users surrendered in less than two months. This was part of the larger effort to combat illegal drugs, and he credited the campaign for creating an environment where individuals voluntarily turned themselves in for rehabilitation and to avoid criminal prosecution.
What’s your opinion about this?
