15,514 druggies in Eastern Visayas yielded to cops in July

TACLOBAN CITY, Aug. 3 (PNA) –- About 15,514 drug users and pushers in Eastern Visayas have surrendered to authorities during the first month of the government's war on drugs.

Of the number, 13,851 were drug users and 1,663 were pushers, said Philippine National Police (PNP) regional office spokesperson, Chief Insp. Ma. Bella D. Rentuaya.

“Most of the users have no stable income. We are profiling the victims. From there, we would like to know how many of them are minors. Young victims will get assistance from an international non-governmental organization,” Rentuaya added.

Aside from those who have given themselves up, 137 more yielded to the police during operations. At least nine were killed in shootouts during raids and buy-bust operations.

PNP Eastern Visayas acting regional director Chief Supt. Elmer Beltejar said that in July, thousands of drug users and pushers turned up at police stations and the mayor’s office, confessing their involvement in narcotics.

Beltejar said they all promised to abandon their illegal drugs activities after signing an affidavit.

“They were not detained, but we will closely monitor them. We anticipate more would surrender the coming days. I encourage our public to continue supporting our fight against illegal drugs. Expect continuous anti-drug operations to be launched by your police,” he said.

Beltejar warned that the PNP in Eastern Visayas will continue its anti-narcotics operations in the region, especially with the nationwide enforcement of the “Double Barrel” strategy.

The strategy, based on the concept of a double-barreled shotgun that fires two bullets in one squeeze of the trigger, aims to attack big-time drug lords and street traders at the same time.

He said the “first barrel” is directed toward those at the top and the "second barrel" toward those at the bottom.

“The anti-drug campaign operations have no timeline and will never stop until said menace is totally eradicated in the region,” Beltejar said.

From July 1 to 31, the PNP in the region knocked on the doors of 8,539 drug users under Operation Tokhang. 'Tokhang' is a combination of the Visayan words 'toktok' (to approach) and 'hangyo' (to persuade). (PNA)
JMC/CVL/SARWELL Q. MENIANO