Governor’s confidential fund to be used in drug war

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Peace and Order Council will use the Governor Hilario Davide III's "confidential fund" in pursuit of its anti-illegal drugs campaign among other projects related to law enforcement.

No amount, however, was mentioned in the resolution unanimously approved by the council yesterday afternoon during its first meeting for 2017.

The funds will be used in the "Peace and Order and Public Safety Plan" containing the "integrated province-wide program against illegal drugs."

It will be used to finance law enforcement partnerships between the Capitol and the police and other law enforcement agencies.

The Cebu Provincial Anti Drugs Office (CPADAO) will also be helping in the prosecution of suspects and training of personnel in the illegal drugs campaign which they consider as "priority concern."

The programs also include the sustainability projects of barangays declared as drug free and the rehabilitation of surrenders, among others.

With the return of Tokhang operations by the police, the Cebu Provincial Police Office is currently forming its new team to handle the anti-illegal drugs operations.

CPPO reported yesterday that since the resumption of Tokhang in March 3, at least 53 people were arrested.

From July 1, 2016 until January 31, 2017, Cebu Province had 50,155 surrenders, 47,411 of which are users and the rest are self-confessed pushers.

There were 91 people killed in "legitimate" police operations, said Chief Inspector Gerard Ace Pelare, operations chief of CPPO.

Pelare said there were no reports of suspects killed since the revival of Tokhang operations.

Meanwhile, Vice Governor Agnes Magpale congratulated the National Bureau of Investigation for its successful operations that resulted in the arrest of nine South Koreans allegedly involved in sex tourism.

Magpale vowed to help in the prosecution of the Koreans as well as in the debriefing of the rescued women. The police also reported a decrease of crime statistics in Cebu, which they attributed to the war on drugs. (FREEMAN)