MANILA - The Dangerous Drugs Board announced on Monday their new "game plan" in fighting illegal drugs in the country, putting prevention and rehabilitation as the main thrust in addressing the problem.

DDB Chairman Dionisio Santiago said the Philippine Anti Illegal Drugs Strategy aims to enhance the existing pillars of action with identified themes of the Social Development Agenda and the National Security Policy.

They also want to expand and revitalize the roles of government agencies such as the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the campaign against illegal drugs.

Santiago said DDB's pillars of action include drug supply reduction; drug demand reduction; supporting sustainable livelihood programs; civic awareness and response; and regional and international cooperation.

The board hopes that the President will sign an executive order to support the project. Sangtiago said DDB is hoping to change the narrative that anti-illegal drug operations leads to the loss of lives.

On November 19, 2017 DDB will launch the campaign, "Love life, fight drugs." A simultaneous fun run in different cities nationwide will be launched for public awareness.

President Rodrigo Duterte recently ordered the PDEA to lead the war on drugs, putting the Philippine National Police in the back seat just as it faced allegations of abuse.

PNP chief Director General Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa said they will still be ready to help PDEA if needed. The PNP, he said, will now focus on cleansing its ranks and fighting riding-in-tandem gunmen.