Knowing that your child may be in danger is a parent's worst fear. I think I can speak on behalf of all parents when I say that even if our children have grown up or have started their own families, we still cannot help but worry over their safety.

That is why I am deeply concerned by the increasing reports on traditional and social media these past weeks and days regarding kidnappings, killings and other crimes nationwide. Some of the reported victims were very young Filipinos, including a child of seven. Whether young or old, man or woman, all of them have precious lives — or have had for those killed — that deserve better protection in their own country.

I do believe that our country's police were not remiss in their duties. In fact, in most of the recently reported cases, suspects have already been identified and some detained.

I have full trust and confidence on the current administration and our law enforcement agencies that they will be able to sustain the gains made in the past and bring our people closer to our goal of having a safer more comfortable life for all.

Nevertheless, the fact that the criminals had the audacity to commit such atrocious acts shows that there is a clear need for us to further ramp up our campaign against criminality and illegal drugs.

We have seen for ourselves how effective the Duterte administration's rigorous fight against illegal drugs had been in maintaining peace and order in our country, particularly in lowering the crime rate and addressing corruption in the government. In fact, the Philippine crime rate has decreased by 73.76% from 2016 to 2021, according to the record of the Philippine National Police.

Through former president Rodrigo Duterte's firm stand and corresponding directives against illegal drugs, we were able to feel at ease knowing that our children can most probably walk through the streets without being accosted or otherwise harmed. We did not have to fear for our lives constantly. Instead, it was the criminals who had reason to fear the force of the law. It might not have been perfect but the people themselves can attest to the positive changes the campaign has brought.

Thus, I continue to push for measures that will not only sustain the gains we have achieved from the campaign against illegal drugs but will also better protect our people from the "ills of society" and their tragic consequences.