Pubdate: Thu, 14 Jul 2016
Source: Manila Bulletin (The Philippines)
Contact:  http://www.mb.com.ph/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/906
Author: Aaron B. Recuenco

THOUSANDS SURRENDER AS ILLEGAL DRUGS CAMPAIGN GETS AGGRESSIVE

The aggressive clearing operation in drug-infested barangays in Metro 
Manila has resulted in the death of 43 drug personalities in the 
first 12 days of the Duterte administration. And since he assumed the 
post as director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) 
on July 1, Chief Supt. Oscar Albayalde said they already seized some 
11.85 billion worth of illegal drugs in drug operations in Metro 
Manila alone. "Metro Manila will be the showcase of the change that 
the President promised to Filipino people. The NCRPO will be 
instrumental in translating that promise into reality," said Albayalde.

Based on figures of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 92 
percent of the barangays in Metro Manila are infested with illegal drugs.

This is the reason they need to work double time in clearing as many 
barangays of illegal drugs.

President Duterte made it clear from the start that he will have zero 
tolerance where illegal drugs are concerned and gave those involved 
two choices: Surrender or die.

Nationwide, already 103 have been killed in various drug operations 
from. May 10 to July 4. This figure is expected to grow as the 
campaign against illegal drugs gets aggressive.

Thousands surrender

The President's warning struck fear among drug users and peddlers 
prompting thousands to surrender. In the same period in Region 10, 
Police Supt. Surki Alday Serenas said close to 22,000 users and 
peddlers surrendered  4,728 were from Misamis Oriental; 4,348 were 
from Misamis Occidental; 4,289 from Bukidnon; 3,847 from Iligan City; 
3,050 from Lanao del Norte; 1,528 from Cagayan de Oro City; and 165 
from Camiguin.

In Region 1, 4,186 drug personalities surrendered. Chief Supt. 
Ericson T. Velasquez, regional director of Police Regional Office 1 
(PRO1), said this number is expected to increase after many have sent 
surrender feelers for love of dear life. The big number of 
surrenderees were a result of the PNP's house-to-house campaign to 
convince drug users and peddlers to turn a new leaf before the law 
catches up with them.

In Metro Manila, 8,808 drug personalities surrendered in a span of 12 
days. Albayalde said Manila City and the Southern Police District had 
the most number of surrenderees. They have already coordinated with 
local government units in Metro Manila for the rehabilitation of 
those who surrendered.

Albayalde said he is planning to implement a barangay isolation 
strategy that is aimed at cutting off illegal drugs supply in 
villages with rampant illegal drugs activities.

The barangay isolation strategy would call for the deployment and 
setting up of police camps in the barangays with serious illegal 
drugs problem. Once cleared, police forces would transfer to other 
barangays. (With reports from Divina M. Suson and Mar T. Supnad)
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom