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CEBU CITY — Instead of a violent war, the Central Visayas police have introduced another strategy to rid the region of illegal drugs.
The key is education, according to Brigadier General Jerry Bearis, director of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7).
In a statement last week, Bearis said the local police would take on a whole new dimension supported by an aggressive informational drive and educational campaign targeting students and other young people who are frequently the target of drug organizations.
“The fight against illegal drugs must be comprehensive, analytical, community-based, and human rights-sensitive,” he said.
“Our anti-illegal drugs campaign adopts a whole-of-government approach, which would only be effective if we are able to carry out plans like local anti-drug plan of action and barangay anti-drug plan of action down at the grassroots. It is crucial that our local governments collaborate with us and work on a common goal of an action-based anti-drug plan,” he added.
Bearis urged all police officers to continue the fight against illegal drugs by adopting a new strategy emphasizing transparency and accountability in collaboration with local governments and the community.
Aside from educating young people, the police general said they would also focus on rehabilitation and reintegration of drug dependents.
“Aggressive demand reduction strategy by ensuring that previous drug users will be converted into anti-illegal drug advocates. We shall convert these people into hard-core government allies in the fight against illegal drugs,” Bearis said.
He also vowed to be aggressive in reducing the supply and demand of illegal drugs.
“We believe that by sealing Central Visayas, illegal drug supply will be reduced to the minimum level. To this, the multi-agency approach is indispensable,” Bearis said.
“Community-based approach against illegal drugs means employing the support of the local governments, other agencies, stakeholders, and the community. Illegal drugs are everyone’s concern,” he added.
Bearis said adopting a set of strategies would prevent individuals and communities from participating in drug trafficking and production.
“The time has come that we decide to work together and see the big picture. Let us put our actions into one for a drug-free Central Visayas community working in partnership with a responsive community for a safer place to live, work and do business,” he said.
From December 19, 2022 to January 20, 2023, PRO-7 has conducted 492 operations, which resulted in the arrest of 622 suspects and the confiscation of 7,126.76 grams of shabu worth P48,461,968 and marijuana with 404.60 grams valued at P48,552.
Meanwhile, former President Duterte reminded Filipinos not to allow illegal drugs to destroy the country.
Duterte issued the call in his speech at the 89th birthday of Olivia Yanson, matriarch of the Yanson group of bus companies, at the SMX Convention Center in Bacolod City on Jan. 23.
“We must continue the watch against (illegal) drugs because we have to take care of the next generation. Drug addiction is destroying the world. It is eroding the societal structure,” said Duterte, who waged what has been dubbed as a “deadly war on drugs” during his presidency.
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