CEBU, Philippines - The son of a former drug user turned surrenderer, who was not able to pursue a college education because of poverty, will be back in school this June as a scholar of the Cebu provincial government.
Speaking before the drug surrenderers, barangay health workers, tanods and officials in Barangay Poblacion, Cordova yesterday, Policher Casquejo, 19, said he is thankful that he can now proceed to college without paying any tuition fees and even with P1,500 monthly allowance.
Casquejo, a resident of Cordova, will be taking up Bachelor of Science in Education Major in English at the Cordova Public College. He said that when he learned that the provincial government is offering scholarship for children of drug surrenderers, he didn’t hesitate to apply.
Casquejo joined Capitol officials headed by Governor Hilario Davide III and Vice Governor as they conducted "Oplan Tokhang" to houses in Cordova yesterday.
Casquejo served as an example of those who benefited from the programs set by the province in line with its campaign against illegal drugs.
Davide and Magpale visited at least two houses in the town asking parents to prevent their children from being involved in illegal drugs and cyberpornography, and informing them about the programs of the Capitol, such as the scholarship program and community based treatment program.
They also personally reminded children on the streets to stay away from drugs and even gave stuffed toys and chocolates.
Davide said he was happy with the operation.
"Maayo man, mura ta’g nangampanya, mura’g political campaign pud. You talk to the people to support the anti-drug campaign... Very receptive kaayo ang mga tawo nga atong giduol, nakasabot man gyud sila sa problema sa druga nga dako nga problema nga kinahanglan magtinabangay ang tanan," Davide said.
Magpale, for her part, said that after learning about the plan of the police to conduct Oplan Tokhang with the governor in Cordova, she immediately expressed interest in joining since the town is also known for its problem on cyber-pornography.
"Wa ko mag-ingon nga dinhi ra ang cyberporn but naa pud sa ubang lungsod. But the opportunity is already here. It gave us the opportunity to appeal to the owners nga i-block off nila ang kanang porno sights," Magpale said.
Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Senior Superintendent Eric Noble clarified that it's not because Cordova has a number of drug cases that's why they chose to conduct Oplan Tokhang there with Capitol officials.
Noble said that out of all the 13 barangays in Cordova none qualified as drug-free.
He said they are also planning to conduct the same operation in Talisay, Minglanilla and other towns and cities in Metro Cebu.
"Na schedule lang kasi susunod naman ang Talisay, Consolacion… Iikutin namin, hindi ito yong first. Medyo malapit kasi," Noble said.
Base on the record presented by Cordova Police Chief Senior Inspector Clemente Ceralde during the briefing yesterday, the town has a total of 898 drug surrenderers with180 pushers and 718 users.
Cordova Mayor Mary Therese Sitoy-Cho was thankful that Cordova was chosen as the pilot area.
"Lahi gyud if naa si Governor and Vice Governor nga nianhi. Mas nabuhi ang mga tawo. Nindot kami ang nahimong pilot and mas nangdasig ang mga officials" she said.
During yesterday's dialogue with barangay officials, Davide also gave his consent to transfer some inmates at the Cordova detention cell to the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center, after Ceralde said their detention facility with a capacity of 30 prisoners is already congested with 95 prisoners.
Davide approved the request of the police granting that there should be a court order. (FREEMAN)