2-month police drug operations kill 25 personalities in Eastern Visayas

TACLOBAN CITY, Aug. 30 (PNA) – At least 25 persons have been killed for fighting back in legitimate anti-drug operations in Eastern Visayas by the Philippine National Police from July 1 to Aug. 29, 2016.

Of the 25 drug personalities killed in 215 anti-drug operations, seven were in Leyte, four in Samar, four in Southern Leyte, four in Ormoc City, three in Northern Samar, and three in Tacloban City.

In a report to the Regional Development Council’s Development Administration Committee, PNP acting regional director Chief Supt. Elmer Beltejar said 261 drug personalities have been arrested in these drug operations.

At least 12,526.77 grams of shabu and 42.78 grams of marijuana have been recovered by authorities with a total worth of PHP100.19 million. The police also confiscated 57 long and short firearms.

Drug buy-bust, raids, and search led to the filing of 199 cases in courts.

Since President Rodrigo Duterte assumed the presidency, 8,483 houses have been visited by the local police, prompting 16,766 users and 2,122 pushers to surrender or a total of 18,888 surrenderers.

Leyte province has the most number of self-confessed drug personalities at 5,618; Southern Leyte, 4,490; Eastern Samar, 2,793; Ormoc City, 2,089; Northern Samar, 1,237; Samar, 1,129; Tacloban City, 985; and Biliran, 547. 

“The sustained anti-illegal drugs under Project: Double Barrel by anti-illegal drugs units had paved way for a more responsive community in combating the drug menace and defacing crime-breeding areas,” Beltejar said.

The official assured that the PNP in Region 8 will continue their efforts to eradicate illegal drugs in the region with the nationwide enforcement of “Double Barrel” strategy.

The concept is based on a double barrel gun, which fires two in just one squeeze of the trigger. The operation will simultaneously attack big-time drug lords and street-level trading.

The “first barrel” is directed to those at the top, while the "second barrel" is aimed at those in the bottom, which involves reforming drug users who want to get rid of drugs.

With the increasing number of self-confessed drug personalities, the Department of Health embarks on training of local health workers to assist in the rehabilitation process through community-based approach. (PNA)
FPV/SARWELL Q. MENIANO