Tanods reminded of anti-drug role

CEBU, Philippines -  The Cebu City Office for Substance Abuse Prevention has reminded the barangay tanods of their responsibility in the campaign against illegal drugs.  COSAP chief Dr. Alice Utlang issued the reminder during the drug awareness seminar yesterday.

“Very important ang role sa atong mga barangay tanods since sila ang mo-handle sa drug control and mo-report,” Utlang said.

 Utlang made emphasis on the results of the series of random drug tests that COSAP earlier conducted wherein most of those tested positive were barangay tanods.

“Sad to note, maong priority nato ang mga tanod nga gi-seminar bahin sa drugas kay basi sa ato drug test sa kada barangay sila man ang daghan nga naggamitan,” Utlang said. 

Utlang said that out of the 191 barangay employees who were tested positive of illegal drug use in 61 barangays that COSAP has conducted random drug testing, 60 to 70 of them were tanods.

Lawyer Paul Clarence Oaminal, chairman of the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council, meanwhile, expressed disappointment with the barangays that failed to participate in the opening of the drug awareness month. He was, however, happy about the turnout of the seminar.

Edison Malazarte, barangay tanod of Barangay Taptap, was happy about the seminar.

“Nalipay ko kay at least ma-inform ang uban nato na mga tanod sa ila responsibilidad ug aron malikayan sad nila ang paggamit sa ginadili na drugas,” Malazarte said.

Mayor Michael Rama is planning for a more creative activity for the tanods next year.

“If they really want to become efficient and affective tanod, they should be physically fit” Rama said. (BANAT NEWS)