PNP anti-drug campaign in Eastern Visayas yields 481 pushers, users in 5 days

PALO, Leyte, July 4 (PNA) –- About 481 of the identified 3,080 drug pushers and users in Eastern Visayas have surrendered to the Philippine National Police (PNP) from June 29 to July 3 as the new administration steps up its anti-drug campaign.

Newly-installed acting police regional director Chief Supt. Elmer Beltejar said police officers have been visiting houses of drug personalities on the watchlist warning them to stop using and trading illegal drugs.

Of the 481 persons who surfaced at police stations, 167 of them were from Leyte province, three from Southern Leyte, 16 from Biliran, 37 from Samar, 58 from Eastern Samar, 128 from Northern Samar, 37 from Ormoc City, and 35 from Tacloban City.

“Within three months, we will be knocking on their doors and tell them to stop. We expect more people who will turn themselves in everyday,” said Beltejar, who replaced Chief Supt. Jose Erwin Villacorte as regional police chief.

As of July 3, only 343 of the 3,080 persons on the watchlist have been visited by policemen and members of the barangay (village) anti-drugs council.

“We will hit the ground running especially on anti-drugs operation. There should be zero tolerance to drugs. There will be no exemption as we apply the rule of law,” Beltejar said.

The official told reporters there are local government officials and police officers involved in this illicit practice, but refused to name them, citing security reasons.

On Monday, the police regional office conducted a drug test to all 48 top regional officials and police provincial directors during the first regional command conference under the new PNP leadership.

On June 29, the police held a first drug test to 58 police provincial deputy directors and operation officers, who are directly involved in anti-drugs operations.

“We have to cleanse our own ranks as well. We better start in with a clean slate and we have to make sure that no policemen are using illegal drugs,” Beltejar said.

The regional office will initiate drug test for more than 6,800 policemen assigned in the six provinces of the region.

When asked about reshuffling of police officials, he said the regional office will assess first the performance of provincial directors and chiefs of police in terms of eliminating illegal drugs.

“With the very damaging effect of illegal drugs, this is the right time to end drug menace with the strong support of our President and PNP chief,” Beltejar added.

Prior to his post in Eastern Visayas, Beltejar, a native of Quirino province, was the director of the PNP finance service and provincial director Nueva Vizcaya. He also held key administrative and operation posts in Northern Luzon, Western Visayas, and Soccsksargen. (PNA)

FFC/SARWELL Q. MENIANO