More drug rehab centers sought for addicts

PHILIPPINE National Police chief, Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, holds a lighted candle during rites to bless a rehabilitation facility for drug dependents in Limay town, Bataan province, on July 8. NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—Police are urging local governments to build rehabilitation centers for drug dependents in each of the 22 legislative districts in Central Luzon.

Chief Supt. Aaron Aquino, the region’s police director, said the rehabilitation facilities would complement the police campaign to end illegal drug trafficking and use.

The idea came up as more than 12,000 drug users and pushers surrendered in the region. Aquino said 250 operations in the region since July 1 had also resulted in the death of 48 suspects who resisted arrest and the detention of 300 others.

“There is no system yet,” he said about the absence of a program to reform users and pushers.

“Our congressional representatives should be able to find funds for the construction of rehabilitation centers per district,” Aquino said.

Few rehabilitation facilities operate in the region. The Central Luzon Drug Rehabilitation Center is a private facility that charges a maximum of P10,000 monthly. It can accommodate 1,800 patients.

Aquino lauded the Bataan provincial government and the Bataan police for building Bahay Pag-asa, which helps drug users reform. It offers counseling, spiritual development and livelihood training.

In some cases, instead of helping reform drug dependents, rehabilitation centers are being used to sell drugs.

This was apparently what happened at the Cotabato provincial rehabilitation center in the village of Amas in Kidapawan City where police seized sachets of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) in three rooms.

Supt. Bernard Tayong, spokesperson of the North Cotabato police, said policemen raided the facility acting on a tip that drugs are being peddled there.

Rooms holding three drug suspects yielded the shabu.

Last year, at least six guards assigned to the facility, which is being run by the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, were investigated and transferred when a similar raid yielded drugs. Reports from Tonette Orejas, Inquirer Central Luzon; and Williamor Magbanua, Inquirer Mindanao