Station chiefs told: Explain zero enforcement of campaign vs illegal drugs

CEBU, Philippines - At least 10 police station chiefs in the province are being made to explain why they failed to execute the Cebu Provincial Police Office’s anti-drugs campaign.

Senior Superintendent Clifford Gairanod said a consolidated report of the police station chiefs revealed that at least 10 police stations did not carry out the “Oplan Limpyo Probinsya” from January 12 to 18.

The 10 stations are located in municipalities.

“Ato’ng tan-awon kung unsa ang ilang rason, unsa ang ilang excuses basin valid,” Gairanod said.

 “Ang uban wala kahimo ani nga panahon pero paghimo nila late na,” he added.

He said the station chiefs will face administrative sanctions if they fail to justify their inaction. Sanctions may include transfer of assignment or the filing of an administrative case against the station chief.

The “Oplan Limpyo Probinsya” has yielded at least P12.5 million worth of dangerous drugs in a span of a week.

Gairanod admitted, however, that the prosecution aspect remains a challenge, especially in fulfilling the technical requirements of the law, including the preservation of the integrity of evidence and the presence of witnesses. These are important factors to get a conviction.

“We are working on that. Naglisod mi sa mga requirements on how to effect the arrest warrant kasi kailangan ang representatives from the government, media, and DOJ (Department of Justice) during the operation. Pag-serve namo sa arrest warrant, di man 24 hours naa gyud ang DOJ,” Gairanod told reporters.

The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 provides for a physical inventory and photograph of the said dange-rous drugs immediately after seizure and confiscation “in the presence of the accused or his/her representative or counsel, a representative from the media and the Department of Justice, and any elected public official who shall be required to sign the copies of the inventory and be given a copy thereof.”

Records from the Cebu Provincial Police Office showed that a total of 64 anti-drug operations have been conducted from January 12 until 18 under the “Limpyo Probinsya” program. Of this number, 34 were carried out by virtue of a search warrant, 29 through buy-bust operations, and one through an in flagrante arrest.

The campaign has led to the arrest of 59 suspects included in the watchlist of the police, and seizure of shabu weighing a total of 1,059 grams worth P12.5 million.

Gairanod said some of the persons arrested have been charged for the same offense before but their cases were dismissed.

“Nakalusot sila, so balik na pud… But nakig-coordinate na mi with DOJ. Willing sila motabang pag-capacitate sa among personnel ug aron motaas ang convictions,” he added.

Board Member Ivy Meca who co-chairs the Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council  said the province has set aside funds to support the anti-drugs campaign.

 Under the program, police stations in the province are required to submit to CPPO watch lists of drug dealers in their respective jurisdictions.— (FREEMAN)