MANILA (UPDATED) - The number of suspected drug offenders killed in police operations has breached the 4,000 mark, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Tuesday.

A total of 4,279 drug suspects were killed from July 1, 2016 to May 15, 2018, according to a "Real Numbers" update from the PNP during a forum in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

Police said the slain suspects allegedly resisted arrest.

Meanwhile, a total of 143,335 drug personalities have been arrested in 99,485 operations under President Rodrigo Duterte's administration.

Among those arrested were 506 government personnel: 241 civilian employees, 217 elected officials, and 48 uniformed personnel.

Police have also rescued 698 minors.

Over 192 drug dens and shabu laboratories have been dismantled by the police.

Police operations yielded some P20.77 billion worth of illicit drugs, including P14.34 billion worth of "shabu" weighing 2,678.61 kilos.

The Department of Justice has received a total of 7,061 complaints related to illegal drugs. Of which, 6,330 were resolved and 731 remain pending.

Of those who surrendered, 189,816 have graduated from recovery and wellness program. Of which, 82,148 were under PNP-initiated programs while 108,668 were supported by the community centers.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said data released by the government is empirical.

“Wala namang silang ibang ginagawa kundi tingnan ang mga numero na mayrong datos. Sinasabi lang namin, yung mga nagsasabing 12,000 na ang mga namatay, anong basehan ninyo. Samantalang kami po ay empirical kami at base po kami sa records. Kami po ay walang itinatago kung ano lang ang katotohanan,” he said.

“Di na po namin kinakailangan ng datos para po pabanguhin ang gobyerno dahil nakita niyo naman po sa katext survey, 86% ng lahat ng gobyerno, suportado itong giyera laban sa ipinagbabawal na droga,” he added. -with reports from Henry Atuelan and Maan Macapagal, ABS-CBN News