Cops launch ‘kalye serye’ vs drugs

ANTIDRUG DRIVE A policewoman explains the illegal drugs situation to residents in a neighborhood in Olongapo City as part of a police-initiated campaign dubbed “Pulis sa kalye serye (Police on the streets series).” The city’s Police Station 4 mounted the campaign to send a strong warning to those engaged in the illegal drug trade. ALLAN MACATUNO/INQUIRER CENTRAL LUZON

OLONGAPO CITY—The sound of sirens began to echo on the streets of Barangay Old Cabalan in this city one quiet afternoon. Cars and motorcycles blew loud and repetitive honks as they passed through every nook and cranny of the sleepy village.

The slow-paced motorcade was deliberate, as it was accompanied by a throng of residents carrying placards with a daring warning: If you don’t want to die young, don’t use drugs!

Danny Gloria, 62, a member of the Barangay Police Action Team (BPAT), said his group was waging war against the proliferation of illegal drugs in their community. “Through this campaign, we’ll be able to save people, especially the young, from drug addiction,” he said.

On Feb. 11, police raided a suspected drug den in Barangay Pag-asa and arrested 33 drug suspects. Two days later, Senior Supt. Jerry Sumbad, officer in charge of the Olongapo City police, declared an all-out war against illegal drugs in the city. Sumbad said illicit trafficking of drugs and the presence of criminal groups were the city’s primary concerns.

The antidrug campaign, called “Pulis sa kalye serye,” is led by the city’s Police Station 4 and inspired by the popular “kalye serye” (street series) of the noontime television show “Eat Bulaga,” said Insp. Vivianne Reyes, deputy Police Station 4 commander for administration.

Like the TV show, the police version featured cops dancing to popular and upbeat songs to entertain villagers. Children received gifts and played games with policemen and youth volunteers.

Food was also served, “boodle fight” style, to promote camaraderie among community members.

“We are bridging the gap between the community and the local police so that we can combat crimes easily,” Reyes said.

On Feb. 12, personnel of Police Station 4 led by its station commander, Senior Insp. Danilo Cañutal, combed the narrow streets of Old Cabalan to gather residents for the second installment of the drive.

Reyes said the staging of the police version of the street series would encourage villagers to cooperate with the law enforcers by reporting suspicious activities in their community.

“We would like to assure the community that they can always count on their police officers when it comes to fighting illegal drugs,” she said.

Though their campaign is centered on eliminating the growing drug problem in the community, they are also targeting other crimes, Cañutal said.

“Almost all of the crimes committed in our community happened because the perpetrators were drug addicts. So we have to dig at the roots of the problem and that’s the abuse of illegal drugs,” Cañutal told the residents.

The antidrug campaign is facilitated by a roving truck outfitted with a large LCD screen for information dissemination.

“We are showing various anticrime infomercials, such as tips on preventing incidents of theft, robbery, kidnapping and child abuse,” Reyes said.

Residents were also given flyers and stickers with police hotline numbers for easy crime reporting. A neighborhood watch was also created during the police’s visit to the villagers to help their local officials and the BPAT.

“We asked the residents to select trusted people who will serve as front-liners in maintaining peace and order in their community,” Reyes said.

SPO2 Janet Ann Morales, women’s desk officer of Police Station 4, urged the residents to step up and report crimes. She assured them that all reports would be verified and kept confidential. Informants would remain anonymous, she said.

“Let’s work together to make this campaign successful,” Morales told the residents.

Efren Nabor, 63, a resident and BPAT member, said: “If I find a drug addict here, I will not hesitate to report [him/her] to the police. That’s how I’ll contribute to make this campaign a success.”

According to Cañutal, the street series will be brought to other villages.