GENERAL SANTOS CITY—Nearly 4,000 illegal drug pushers and users in Region 12 have surrendered in the past several weeks in line with the Philippine National Police’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs.
Supt. Romeo Galgo Jr., public information officer of the Police Regional Office 12, said Tuesday the pushers and users surfaced and vowed to transform their lives, shunning illegal activities.
He said 2,490 of them are from South Cotabato, 1,342 from Sultan Kudarat, 114 from this city and 12 from North Cotabato.
On Monday, over a thousand drug pushers and users surrendered in Sultan Kudarat at a ceremony held at the provincial gymnasium in Isulan town.
The activity was witnessed by incoming Interior and Local Government Secretary Ismael Sueno.
The PRO-12 earlier urged drug personalities in the region to surface or surface voluntarily to local police units.
Those who surrender will be assisted to ensure that they stay completely away from illegal drugs and related activities.
“This campaign is part of our enhanced illegal drug reduction efforts,” Galgo said in a statement.
He said those who would want to undergo drug rehabilitation will be assisted by PRO-12 in coordination with local stakeholders.
The office would also link with the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority and concerned local government units for the provision of livelihood assistance for those who would surrender.
“We will help ensure their proper reintegration in our communities,” Galgo added.