Negros execs sign pledge to fight drugs

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – Officials of the Negros Island Region have signed a pledge of commitment to fight illegal drugs.

Govs. Alfredo Marañon Jr. of Negros Occidental and Roel Degamo of Negros Oriental led the signing of the pledge during the region’s first Anti-Illegal Drugs Summit simultaneously held in Bacolod City and Dumaguete City on Tuesday.

“We pledge to commit ourselves to actively participate in the fight against illegal drugs by recognizing our role in the anti-illegal drug activities in our community. We pledge to support the Philippine government’s anti-illegal drugs program and to cooperate with stakeholders, regardless of political, social, racial, religious and economic differences. We pledge to carry out our individual obligations to keep our families and ourselves drug-free,” the pledge read.

Chief Inspector Mark Darroca, Provincial Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group chief, said 560 or 45.94 percent of the 1,219 barangays in the region were affected by drugs.

Darroca said a total of P22.024 million worth of illegal drugs were seized while 623 drug suspects were arrested in a series of police operations from January to June. At least 1,585 suspected drug pushers and users have surrendered since July 5.