The war against drugs and crime waged by the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte saw many suspects in Davao City and in Central Luzon voluntarily surrendering and undergoing reformation.
The crime rate in Davao Region has dropped significantly, said Police Regional Office (PRO) 11 director, Police Chief Supt. Manuel Gaerlan.
Gaerlan said that from January to June this year, their office has recorded a total of 18,641 crime incidents this year, lower than the 25,639 reported in 2015.
“There is a significant decrease in our crime statistics due to the strict implementation of the PNP [Philippine National Police] anti-illegal drug campaign,” he added.
The Davao PNP regional director said that even before the administration of President Duterte, the PRO 11 had intensified their anti-illegal drug campaign through the One Time-Big Time and Oplan Lambat Sibat operations.
“Davao has been implementing Oplan Tokhang ever since. The Chief PNP was the pioneer in Davao City when he was the city director,” he said.
From July 1 to 20 this year, 31,964 drug users volunteered for submission and reformation, while 1,091 drug pushers turned themselves in.
Gaerlan revealed that of the 31,000 drug users who surrendered to the authorities, two were barangay officials.
Meanwhile, two PRO 11 personnel were dismissed from the service, after they were found positive for illegal drugs during a surprise random drug test.
Over in Central Luzon, the former Davao City police chief who claimed to have rid that city of drugs and prostitution is doing the same where he was reassigned regional police chief.
Chief Supt. Aaron Aquino said the authorities’ war on illegal drugs has cut the supply and reduced crime in Central Luzon.
Aquino attributed their success to strict prohibition and law enforcement.
He said the police are practicing zero tolerance and envision an illegal-drug-free region.
Aquino demanded the surrender of 10,234 drug suspects. Almost 30,000 surrenderees and 65 casualties were recorded from of July 1-July 20.
He acknowledged the help of mother and son tandem of Gov. Lilia Pineda and Vice Gov. Dennis Pineda, local government officials and provincial police authorities.
Gov. Pineda allocated P10 million for the construction of reformation centers in the towns of Arayat, and Florida Blanca.
In the meantime about 500 drug dependents who surrendered Wednesday will be treated in a private rehabilitation center in Magalang with the local government providing financial assistance of P4,000 to each dependent, according to Vice Gov. Pineda.
The others will be given scholarship grants by the governor, while the remaining will be admitted to the Tesda training centers to learn livelihood skills.