Individuals high on drugs commit most of crimes

CEBU - Drug-related crimes are still the top leading cause of headache for the police authorities and the government.

Citing the CIA’s 2007 World Factbook, which said that more than 50 percent of the 85, 776 total crimes in the Philippines are drug-related, authorities laid down some of the plans, which they believe could help combat the problem.

The United States’ Central Intelligence Agency’s World Factbook contains profiles of countries and territories around the world.

Recent reports however said that individuals high on drugs actually committed 65 to 75 percent of heinous crimes like rape, murder, incest, robberies, among others.

Yesterday, the Association of Government Information Officers held a forum on the observance of the 14th National Crime Prevention Week, which kicked off last Monday.

Guest speakers from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, National Police Commission and PNP- Regional Training School revealed the activities that they have lined up for the celebration.

Atty. Zandro Ronnie Oriol, legal officer of NAPOLCOM, said that one of the highlights in their celebration of the crime prevention week is the “Barangay at Police Tungo sa Kapayapaan,” in which barangay tanods and police officers work together to alleviate crimes in the community.

Oriol said that they have been continually recruiting new police officers to meet the ideal ratio of one policeman per 500 persons. At present, he said the ratio is 1:1,000.

PDEA 7 director Randy Pedroso said that they are also conducting seminars, symposia, and photo exhibits to inform and educate the people on the effects of illegal drugs.

On its part, the BJMP has also included skills training as part of its rehabilitation program to help the prisoners find a job once they are released from jail even if they lack education. This program is in coordination with the Department of Education, said Supt. Marlon Torige of the BJMP.

Meanwhile, Oriol said that the filing of administrative complaint against the police officers is also one of their concerns because this could undermine the trust of the people on the police department.

On the other hand, he added that they are also giving free legal assistance to those policemen who are facing harassment cases. — Jelly Ann Narciso/WAB