24 barangays in Negros Oriental declared free from drugs

DUMAGUETE CITY, Philippines — At least 24 barangays in Negros Oriental province were declared free from the illegal drugs trade, based on parameters provided for by the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB).

Senior Superintendent Henry Biñas, acting director of the Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NORPPO), said the declaration was made by the municipal or city anti-illegal drugs abuse council, via a resolution.

A barangay is declared free from the illegal drugs trade when it is established that there are no drug personalities, either users or pushers, in that barangay, Biñas said.

NORPPO has been targeting to declare about 50 barangays in the province as drug-free. Biñas however said the names of the ‘drug-free’ barangays would not be made available yet because NORPPO is still collating data from various police stations on the matter.

Biñas explained this activity does not in any way contradict the suspension of anti-illegal drugs operations by the PNP, as ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte. “There has been no police operation—buy-bust or serving of search warrant—because this program involves only local officials, especially at the barangay level.”

These barangays, previously affected by the drug problem, are now determined to be 100 percent free from it, said Biñas, adding that he ordered his police chiefs to help barangay officials comply with the DDB requirements in declaring the barangays ‘drug-free.’

Biñas said the police mandate now, after the drug-war suspension, is to reduce ‘focus crimes’ or index crimes, such as murder, homicide, theft, robbery, and physical injuries, among others. This will be the barometer in determining the peace and order status of a particular area, he added. (FREEMAN)