Central Visayas police admit failure in the fight against illegal drugs

CEBU CITY — The Central Visayas police yesterday admitted they have failed in the campaign against illegal drugs but vowed to double efforts to achieve the target set by President Arroyo.

Police Director Robert Delfin explained that they cannot just arrest anybody who is in the illegal drugs watchlist without a warrant so they are very careful with their moves.

Delfin’s explanation came on the heels of a statement made by Philippine National Police (PNP) Deputy Director General Edgardo Aglipay, who was in Cebu last Wednesday, regarding the dismal performance of the police in the Central Visayas in the campaign against illegal drugs.

Aglipay said that Police Regional Office-7 (PRO-7) failed to meet the target of clearing at least 30 percent of drug-affected barangays by the end of October. PRO-7 reported that of the 404 drug-affected barangays in the region only 83 have been cleared as of Oct. 19.

"The problem has been there for five years. We cannot solve it in three months. The report is correct. But we assure the public there is nothing to worry about because we are working on it and we will double our efforts," Delfin said.

Delfin urged the public to help them in this endeavor as the drug menace is not only a police concern but a problem of the community in general.

City police chief Cecil Ezra Sandalo said that Cebu has many entry points for shabu. He explained that while they can continue to arrest people engaged in the illegal trade they also have to make extra effort to stop the entry of shabu from other places.

Aglipay ordered policemen in the region to step up efforts in achieving the target imposed earlier by Mrs. Arroyo and gave them until Dec. 31 to do the job.

He said the President is expecting a 60 percent accomplishment of the target by yearend so it is necessary for Central Visayas to double its efforts to at least achieve 40 percent of its target. – Freeman News Service