MANILA, Philippines — Seventy-five illegal drug users gave themselves up to the Mandaluyong police Wednesday morning as the Mandaluyong City government and the city police beef up their drive against illegal drugs in the “Tiger City” of eastern Metro Manila.
Mandaluyong City Police chief, Sr. Supt. Joaquin Alva said the “surrenderees” who gave themselves up to officials of Barangay Mabini, composed the second batch of drug dependents following the implementation of “Oplan Tokhang.”
Alva said the 75 drug dependents are all residents of Barangay Mabini. Earlier this week, 331 drug dependents from various barangays of Mandaluyong also surrendered to the city police.
He added that he has ordered all of the city’s police community precincts (PCPs) to intensify their respective “Oplan Tokhang” implementations.
“So far ang drug list nila (PCPs) halos lahat ay surrendered na. Konti na lang ang natira. Continuous ito. May instruction ako sa mga PCPs,” said Alva.
“Oplan Tokhang” or Operation Tokhang is a combination of the Visayan words “Toktok” (knock) and “Hangyo” (request).
Under the program, which was launched simultaneously nationwide last July 1, the police, the local government units and barangay officials visit the houses of drug users and then try to convince them to surrender for rehabilitation.
No charges for 'surrenderees'
Alva admitted that the warning issued by President Rodrigo Duterte against users and traffickers of illegal drugs made it easier for them to convince addicts to surrender and seek help.
He said drug addicts who surrendered were made to swear and sign a document declaring they would no longer use illegal drugs and would agree to undergo treatment for their addiction. Alva assured drug addicts who would surrender that they would not be charged criminally by the police.
Alva said that for the moment, the Mandaluyong City government is still working on a possible rehabilitation program for drug dependents who have surrendered.
According to the Mandaluyong police, after surrendering, drug addicts will then have their profiles taken for an assessment by the city government if they will qualify for rehabilitation. The Mandaluyong Police said the city government would be funding the rehabilitation program.
After having their profiles taken, the drug addicts who have surrendered will be monitored by the police.
Drug dependents were also ordered by their respective barangay officials to regularly report to the barangay office for monitoring.
According to the Mandaluyong police, the dependents swore they are now rejecting illegal drugs and are willing to change.
Barangay officials, meanwhile, are in charge of implementing programs that could prepare those who have surrendered for later rehabilitation.
Among these programs is for the dependents to report to barangay office regularly to dance zumba every morning to help flush out the drugs.
Meanwhile, the Mandaluyong police also arrested three suspected street-level drug pushers on Tuesday night during its implementation of “Oplan Double Barrel.”
Alva said the three arrested pushers who were not identified, have earlier been asked by police to stop peddling drugs. He said that unlike before, the police has no shortage of informants against street pushers. Most of the informants, he said, are the customers or buyers of the traffickers.