Nearly all of Metro Manila’s 896 barangays are affected by drugs in varying phases and 36 elected and appointed officials from the city government of Manila are said to be involved in illegal drugs, the head of the Manila Police District said Thursday.

Senior Superintendent Joel Coronel said these officers are mostly city and barangay officials. Others are police personnel.

They are accused of being involved in drug trafficking and protectors and coddlers of drug peddlers.

"These are not just barangay officials but other personalities who are elected and appointed," Coronel said in a news conference in Camp Crame .

Coronel did not divulge details as an investigation is ongoing.

The Manila police are also taking steps to make all 896 barangays in Metro Manila drug free. But 96 percent or 868 barangays are affected.

Of the number, 34 are moderately affected, meaning less than 20 percent of the population are into drugs. In these barangays, aggressive police operations are needed, said Coronel.

The rest which are moderately affected which means only two percent of the population are either drug users or pushers. The intervention measures for these areas include outreach programs, rehabilitation treatment and livelihood for drug victims.

"Our strategy is we concentrate first on the slightly affected because we can clear it immediately and then we move on the moderately affected," said Coronel.

Coronel said it will take about six months before significant changes are felt

"Those who are saying they can clear their area in two weeks are not saying the truth," he said. Emmanuel Tupas/DMS