Samar army camp eyed as drug rehab center

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Aug. 14 (PNA) - The Philippine Army’s 8th Infantry Division (ID) based here is eyeing a military camp in Hinabangan, Samar as rehabilitation center for self-confessed drug dependents.

The identification of the 801st Infantry Brigade camp in Fatima village, Hinabangan town as rehabilitation center heeds the directive of President Rodrigo Duterte in his first State of the Nation Address on July 25.

Brigadier General Cesar Idio, 8th ID assistant division commander said the plan was presented to Duterte during the Chief Executive’s visit to their headquarters on Aug. 8.

Prior to the presidential visit, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana asked the Armed Forces of the Philippines to identify camps that can be used as rehabilitation facility.

“The camp is big and no mobile phone signal there. Hence, drug dependents will not be distracted during the rehabilitation process,” said Brig. Gen Idio.

The camp is situated in the upland village of Fatima, more than an hour away from the national highway. The camp also serves as training camp for aspiring soldiers.

The Philippine National Police reported this week that more than 16,000 drug pushers and users in the region have surrendered to authorities since Duterte assumed the presidency.

The enormous number of self-confessed drug users has raised rehabilitation-related concerns.

Saving Lives at a Common Ground in Dulag town is the only rehabilitation facility in Eastern Visayas. It can only accommodate 100 male drug users. The treatment facility uses therapeutic community modality.

Leyte Governor Leopoldo Dominico Petilla hopes that the national government will step up support for local government units in building rehabilitation facilities.

Petilla tagged funding as a major setback especially that running a center requires expertise.

Department of Social Welfare and Development Regional Director Restituto Macuto urged the central government to look into the future of rehabilitated drug users.

“They need to be provided with the source of livelihood for them not to return to involvement of illegal drugs,” said Macuto.

Macuto instructed social workers in the region to profile all self-confessed drug personalities to find out what kind of interventions the government will provide. (PNA)
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