30,161 druggies in Eastern Visayas surrendered to cops in 2016 - report

PALO, Leyte, Jan. 12 (PNA) -- A total of 30,161 drug users and pushers have surrendered across Eastern Visayas region since the start of the massive anti-drug campaign of the government.

Records from the regional Philippine National Police (PNP), disclosed that starting July 1 up to Dec. 31, 2016, 27,493 drug users and 2,668 drug pushers voluntarily surrendered before the police authorities, who have been implementing the “Oplan Tokhang,” an anti-illegal drive campaign of the government under President Rodrigo Duterte.

The records also showed that 21,726 houses across the region were visited by the police authorities, who conducted the operation urging alleged drug users and pushers to surrender.

Covering the same period, the police conducted 587 operations against illegal drug personalities resulting in the death of 46 drug personalities and the arrest of 690 others.

A total of 16, 906.25 grams of shabu and 306.1 grams of marijuana with a combined estimate value of PHP135.2 million were confiscated in the course of the anti-illegal drug operations.

The PNP also disclosed that of the 186 listed as high value targets, 62 of them have surrendered, 54 were arrested, 12 were killed during the police operations.

Three killings were considered as “death under investigation” or no known suspects while 55 high value targets were under surveillance and subject to police operation.

Among those arrested were a police, soldier and an agent from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency; four former police personnel and four government employees.

“We are very serious on this campaign. When we say we mean business, once they go back to their old habit, they will be subjected to police operation. They were given a chance but if they engage again to illegal drug trade, they will be subjected to police operation because they are closely monitored,” said Chief Insp. Bella Rentuaya, police regional information officer. (PNA)

LAP/SQM/ROEL T. AMAZONA/EGR