Talisay police intensifies brgy drug rehab program

CEBU, Philippines —  The Talisay City police have further intensified their barangay rehabilitation program wherein there are now a total of 903 illegal drug-surrenderers who submitted themselves in the community-based treatment since 2016.

Police Lt. Colonel Randy Caballes, Talisay City Police Station chief, said that since the community-based treatment was only implemented in 2019, out of 903, there are a total of 67 surrenderers who completed the rehabilitation.

For 2019, the station has recorded at least 46 completers in the first year of the implementation of the community-based rehabilitation.

From January to April 15, 2021, there were 13 completers while there were eight from April 30 to August 25 this year.

At present, at least 14 illegal drug surrenderers are currently undergoing rehabilitation.

Over the years along with their massive campaign against illegal drugs, Caballes said that two of the barangays in the city have been declared drug-cleared.

"Karon sa 22 ka barangay, duha pa lang ang na clear, in terms of percentage sa duha ka barangay sa Talisay but naa nay gi workout nga mga barangay para mapun-an ang mga drug-cleared barangay," Caballes said.

He added, they are set to meet with the barangay officials and the council on the criteria of the drug-clearing program.

Caballes said they have no current timeframe that meets the criteria of the drug-clearing.

Currently, to widen the coverage of their continuous illegal drug campaign in the city, Caballes said they have been conducting a series of seminars to engage with the community.

Last Friday, they gathered at least 80 supporters, the third batch of their seminar conducted in barangay San Isidro.

Further, the station also was able to gather approximately 200 supporters in their campaign against illegal drugs in which they dubbed as “illegal drug defenders”.

"Kaning nagkadaghan nga number of volunteers only means na gaining among fight against illegal drugs kay to compare based on the information before diri sa illegal drugs sa Talisay, ang number 1 problem jud before ang kining cooperation kay ang mga tawo didto sa Tangke," said Caballes.

With the rising number of supporters, Caballes said this is an indication that they now have the support of the public in their fight. — GMR (FREEMAN)