Manila: The Philippines National Police (PNP) Director General Ronald Dela Rosa urged celebrities hooked or are involved in selling drugs to voluntarily surrender or risk being casualties in the government’s ongoing drive against illicit substances.

“It would be for the good of these personalities if they surrender because they have already been identified as users,” Dela Rosa said referring to a statement by President Rodrigo Duterte they have already identified 50 people in show business who are involved in drugs.

The police chief said the anti-drug campaign does not discriminate, whether the suspect is poor or wealthy and influential.

While initially the anti-drugs campaign targeted the poor and impoverished addicts and drug peddlers, the drive has now shifted to the upper class offenders.

Dela Rosa said if the government has the mettle to take its anti-drugs drive to high-end subdivisions where the wealthy drug dealers and users are located, all the more it could go after show business personalities peddling and using drugs.

The anti-drugs drive has led to the death of a number of suspects as well as law enforcers who are either carrying out campaign against illicit substance or have been targeted by authorities for their involvement in drugs.

The PNP said is investigating more than 1,700 cases killings linked to illegal drugs.

Duterte said about three million of the 100 million Filipinos are using drugs. The president has said that use of illicit substance is a clear and present danger as it destroys the lives of the individual drug user as well as puts an unnecessary emotional financial burden on the family.

Drug use has been linked to other crimes, such as murder and theft.

Among the sectors that are openly known to harbour drug users is the show business industry.

On Sunday, a former starlet who used to appear in risqué films was arrested in Quezon City while engaged in a session with several others using crystal methamphetamine.

Karen Pallasique, known by her screen name ‘Sabrina’ was arrested in Pasong Tamo, Quezon City, a report by GMA News network said.