Pubdate: Fri, 15 Aug 2003
Source: Sunstar General Santos (Philippines)
Copyright: 2003, Sunstar
Contact:  http://www.sunstar.com.ph/affiliate.php3?locid=7
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2450
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines 

DRUG PUSHERS, USERS SURRENDER TO POLICE

Most of the suspected drug pushers and users in Barangay Apopong
voluntarily surrendered to the police authorities after they were
given three months to reform.

PO1 Romeo Calamba, intelligence officer of Makar police station said
the surrenderees would be given amnesty for them to reform and shift
to other sources of livelihood.

"Sa among listahan, 37 na kabuok ang misurender human nga mitabang ang
mga barangay officials sa pagkumbinse sa mga pushers ug users nga
mosurender kay dunay amnesty alang kanila (In our list, 37 have
already surrendered after barangay officials helped in convincing
these users and pushers and avail of the amnesty)," said Calamba.

Most of those who surrendered were reportedly from Purok 1 in the said
barangay.

They were made to sign a waiver and commitment to renew and never
engage in drug pushing anymore.

With their surrender, the Apopong Barangay Council is now looking for
ways to assist them in finding other sources of livelihood.

Barangay Chairperson Delia Rabanes said without the government's
support, the surrenderees would be forced to go back to illegal drug
activities.

Apopong is one of the six barangays considered as drug havens by the
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin