Alagar’s new focus:Arrests, not killings

By LITO RULONA, NITZ ARANCON
andNICOLE MANAGBANAG
Correspondents

POLICE director for northern Mindanao Noel Constantino on Thursday said a fresh anti-drug campaign launched in the region this week would focus on getting suspected drug dealers and users alive, and on rehabilitation.

Camp Alagar is aiming at arresting some 16 thousand people suspected to be involved in the drug trade in northern Mindanao as it launched “Oplan Double Barrel Alpha” the other day.

Chief Supt. Constantino, police director for Region 10, said the launch of “Oplan Double Barrel Alpha” meant resetting the National Police’s crackdown on illegal drugs.

“Everything is reset back to zero,” said Constantino, adding that it would revitalize the campaign.

Constantino said the new approach aims at reducing drugelated killings, and put more emphasis on the arrest of “high-value targets” and intervention.

Supt. SurkiSereñas, Camp Alagar spokesman, revealed the police’s objective in Region 10. The 16 thousand drug suspects in the region, he said, are just a fraction of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency’s 1.2 million target by the end of 2017.

Sereñas said the Camp Crame had aimed at catching 70 percent of the 1.2 million or about 900 thousand illegal peddlers and users. But this was reduced to 300 thousand nationwide, he said.

“Of the 300 thousand target, we are only aiming to get 16 thousand in Northern Mindanao area. The 16 thousand ‘drug personalities’ will be our focus here until year-end of 2017,” he said.

Sereñas said Camp Alagar would also help local governments as they carry out community-based rehabilitation programs.

Sereñas said Camp Alagar is also aiming at catching prominent personalities in government, military, police and the business sector.

Sereñas said the fresh campaign would have a stronger focus on arresting  prominent personalities, and reduce the number of drugelated killings.

Police said the new strategy would also make the police closely work with community leaders to clear neighborhoods of drugs, and partnering with other sectors for community-based rehabilitation programs.

Speaking before key police officials in northern Mindanao, Constantino said, “We have already taken the lead and expect ground commanders to deliver and meet our target.”