QC gives drug users 7 days to surrender

MANILA, Philippines - Drug users in Quezon City have seven days to surrender before the city government launches an all-out war on illegal drugs, Mayor Herbert Bautista said yesterday.

Bautista said the city government will help these drug “victims” change for the better and have a new life.

He said the city government is ready to handle the drug users’ rehabilitation and as well as the needs of their families, from their children’s education to full job support.

Bautista promised the surrendered drug users that they will be prioritized in job offerings by the government as well as in alternative education programs by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.

“But those who remain stubborn, they will face the city government’s iron fist. That is an instruction, that is an order,” he said.

The deadline will coincide with president-elect Rodrigo Duterte’s first day in office on July 1.

Bautista’s warning came after 738 drug users and pushers voluntarily surrendered to police and vowed to stop their involvement in the illegal drug trade.

Two days ago, 352 drug dependents from the city’s 12 barangays surrendered to the police two days ago as part of the formal launch of Operation Plan Kapak (Katok at Pakiusap), which encourages drug suspects to surrender, be profiled and undertake a drug test.

Chief Superintendent Edgardo Tinio, Quezon City Police District director, said this is part of the QCPD’s no-nonsense campaign against illegal drugs.

Tinio said drug addiction has become a menace to society and the government and private sectors need to work together to wipe it out.

He said the QCPD is also ridding its ranks of police officers involved in the illegal drug trade.