Pubdate: Wed, 13 Jul 2016
Source: Sun.Star Cebu (Philippines)
Column: Small Bites
Copyright: 2016 Sun.Star
Contact:  http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1690
Author: Eddie O. Barrita

SURRENDER OR DIE

PRESIDENT Rody Duterte's war against drugs has triggered a "nuclear 
explosion" of killings of drug personalities, with at least 100 of 
them now dead.

Manuel Diokno, Free Legal Assistance Group (Flag) chairman, said, 
"President Duterte's war on crime has spawned a nuclear explosion of 
violence that is spiraling out of control and creating a nation 
without judges, without law and without reason."

What's worrisome is when ordinary citizens get used to these 
killings, or worse, join the fray.

*

PNP Chief Ronald "Bato" de la Rosa said they will try to solve the 
illegal drug problem in three to six months. President Rody said it 
may not be solved in six months, but perhaps in six months and one day.

It's clear they're working on a timetable with a clear message that 
death comes certain to those involved in the illegal drug trade.

So, the PNP's Operation Tokhang or "toktok-hangyo" was successful. 
When police knock on the door of drug personalities, it means surrender or die.

*

Thousands of drug personalities across the country have surrendered. 
But all the police did was to take their photos and fingerprints and 
let them sign a pledge to stop their illegal activities.

But quitting drugs is not as easy as signing a pledge to stop using 
or pushing drugs. Some drug pushers returned to their old ways 
immediately after they surrendered.

Many of them who resisted arrest got killed under a police 
self-defense rule. As the canto boys say, "You don't surrender, you 
die. You surrender, you die. Same die."

*

How about the drug users who surrender? In Cebu Province alone, a 
total of 7,778 drug personalities have surrendered from July 1 to 10. 
Of this number, 1,117 are drug pushers, 6,650 are drug users and 11 
others are maintaining drug dens.

But do we have a rehabilitation center big enough to accommodate 
these drug users who have surrendered?

Was the surrender merely a game the police and drug users play? How 
about the source of shabu? A floating shabu lab was found sailing 
near the country on Tuesday.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom