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 P1.85 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)

Source:
courtesy of MANILA BULLETIN

by Aaron B. Recuenco

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