MANILA, Philippines — Jonvic Remulla, Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), said the reported increase in the price of illegal drugs in the Philippines may indicate that the government’s current anti-drug strategy is beginning to show results.

According to Remulla, the price of shabu has reportedly doubled, which he believes reflects a tightening supply caused by intensified law enforcement operations against drug syndicates. When illegal substances become harder to obtain, their market price tends to rise, a pattern often observed in underground drug economies.

“It is effective. Nag-double na ang cost ng shabu, bumaba ang crime, bumaba ang usage. So, naging effective ang strategy namin,” Remulla said in a statement.

The DILG chief explained that the increase in price could signal that authorities are successfully disrupting drug trafficking routes and limiting the ability of criminal networks to distribute illegal substances. As supply becomes restricted, drug traffickers may struggle to maintain the same level of availability in the market.

The government’s current campaign has also emphasized targeting major drug syndicates and high-level operators, rather than focusing primarily on small-scale users. Officials believe that dismantling the organizational structure behind the drug trade may weaken the entire supply chain.

However, some analysts note that while rising prices can reflect reduced supply, it does not automatically mean the drug problem has been eliminated. In some cases, illegal markets adapt by finding new routes, new suppliers, or alternative substances.

The long-term impact of the strategy will likely depend on whether authorities can sustain pressure on organized drug networks while also addressing rehabilitation, prevention, and social factors linked to drug abuse.

As the government highlights signs of progress, an important question remains for policymakers and the public alike: Does a higher price for illegal drugs truly mean the drug problem is shrinking, or does it simply signal that the underground market is evolving? (Larawan mula sa: Jonvic Remulla, Bongbong Marcos / Facebook)