AN indication that the proliferation of illegal drugs is still the number one problem in many barangays in the city, authorities have revived the controversial “Oplan Tokhang” or Toktok-Hangyo to known drug personalities.
Yesterday, a joint effort from the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Philippine Drug Enforcement Administration (PDEA-10), and Macasandig Barangay Council conducted what they called house visitation to some drug suspects of the said area.
Police Major Allan Cairel, police station number 9 commander, in a media interview, said several invitation letters were already given personally to all those who are identified by the barangay as using illegal drugs.
Barangay Chairman Amor Sanchez admitted that illegal drug-used is still the number one problem in their place that is why he initiated the program.
He said what they are doing is just to show that they are supporting the program of the President in eliminating the drug menace in the entire country.
“Kadtong natagaan na namo og invitation letter ipa report nako sa among opisina sa barangay para ma estoryahan ug hangyoon nga mo apil sa among rehabilitation program,” Sanchez said.
Sanchez added that those who will be convinced to change their ways would undergo the so-called Community-Based Rehabilitation Program (CBRP) for six months.
“Kadtong makahuman sa programa tabangan sa barangay nga makakita og trabaho kay lage wala naman silay record nga drug addict sila sayon ra unya nga madawat sila sa ilang aplayan,” Sanchez said.
Agent Pamisa, the PDEA team leader, revealed that if those invited individuals refuse to cooperate, their names will remain on their list and they will never be cleared.
“Kung ako pa nila moundang na sila anang druga ug mo undergo sila og CBRP kay ang atong gobyerno serious kaayo sa pag address aning problemaha,” Pamisa said.
For his part, Cairel said if they (suspected drug pushers and users) fail to attend the CBRP, the police will go after them or conduct an operation to arrest them.
He said those who were already invited will have their profiling done by them even as he clarified that “tokhang” is not a police operation but just an opportunity to give them a chance to change their ways without being arrested.
He said PDEA-10 has already conducted several Tokhang Operations in many barangays as the only way to declare them drug-free and eventually the entire country.
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