2 more Cebu City barangays declared free from drugs

CEBU, Philippines — Two more Cebu City barangays have been declared drug-cleared, bringing the total number to four drug-free barangays out of 80.

Barangays Sinsin and Sapangdaku were recently added to the drug-cleared barangays declared by the drug-clearing committee composed of the Philippine National Police, COSAP (City Office for Substance Abuse Prevention) and PDEA (Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency)-7. 

"All in all, we already have four barangays in our city nga na drug-free," said Wilbert Parilla, deputy city director for operations of Cebu City Police Office (CCPO). 

Parilla said the drug-clearing committee met yesterday to remind the station commanders of the other requirements and guidelines that shall be submitted in order to sustain the declarations. 

According to Parilla, being in the mountain area has contributed to the drug-free declaration of Barangays Sinsin and Sapangdaku. Aside from this, the individuals listed for the barangay drug rehabilitation program already graduated--- another requirement for the drug-clearing application.  

"Continue gihapon ang monitoring, mao na ang atoang project nga once madeclare nga drug-free, kinahanglan ma-sustain," said Parilla. 

The two barangays applied to be declared drug-free in 2016 yet.

"Karon palang ta naka declare because considering Cebu City, mostly of our barangays are seriously affected," said Parilla. 

"For example, Duljo, Calamba nga known gyud kaayo nga seriously affected, so di na nato basta basta nga madeclare just like other barangays, naa panay proseso from seriously, ma moderate to slightly affected before madeclare nga drug-free," Parilla explained.

Parilla has appealed for barangay officials’ continued cooperation, saying this cannot be sustained by the PNP alone. He added that most of the requirements for the drug-clearing declaration will be done by the barangay officials themselves.

On May 23, 2021, Barangays Sto. Nino and Sudlon 1 were also declared drug-free after having no drug personality has been spotted in the area for a considerable period of time.

Meanwhile,  21 personnel from different police stations in Cebu City were subjected yesterday to a surprise drug test conducted by the City Intelligence Unit of CCPO.

Parilla said the surprise drug test was part of CPPO’s internal cleansing. He said 24 personnel were ordered to report yesterday but only 21 were present.

"Ang usa naka sick call, it means nagsakit, the other one is already transferred to Region 8. We will have to find out the reason sa usa," said Parilla.

The result of the test is expected to be out today. — Dominic I. Dilao, UV Intern, FPL (FREEMAN)