Ormoc police anti-drug drive yields 501 drug personalities

ORMOC CITY, Leyte, July 7 (PNA) -- The city police office here has accounted a total of 501 drug personalities who surrendered in three days.

Eight of them belong to the top 10 in the watch list, said intelligence division chief Sr. Insp. Bernedie Magamay.

Surrenders started appearing to police stations on July 3. Most of the number came from Tambulilid village where rampant drug activities have been identified. The village is where high profile drug lord, who was killed in a police operation, resides.

Magamay said that each day, the number increases as more users and pushers voluntarily surrendered to the police.

At the station, self-confessed drug personalities are evaluated, made to sign affidavit of undertaking and released with a condition that they have to appear and cooperate when their assistance is necessary for some investigation.

But prior to their release, individual police records are checked for possible pending offense. Two were found having standing warrant of arrest for drug-related case.

Most of the surrenders submitted themselves for fear being killed since they believe the government under President Rodrigo Duterte is serious in its pursuit to stop the proliferation of illegal drugs in the country.

There were minors, the youngest is 13 years old who was assisted by his village chairman while the eldest is 60.

Most of them admitted they voted for Duterte in order to end their leanings to drugs that they said are easily available among friends. In fact, they are willing to campaign its harmful effects to health.

The city police launched in this city the Operation “Tokhang” (toktok-hangyo), a house-to-house visit to identified personalities involved in drug activities. (PNA)
BNB/SQM/ELVIE ROMAN-ROA/EGR