Groceries in exchange for surrenderers

CEBU, Philippines - Drug surrenderers who can encourage and bring other suspected drug personalities to surrender will be given P500 worth of groceries, said Police Senior Superintendent Roberto Alanas, Director of Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO).

Alanas also said that there are additional incentives for those who can bring in at least five surrenderers.

"Pagmakaabot ng lima or more, meron siyang bonus na cash. Pag-sampo madala niya, doble yung bonus," Alanas said.

Alanas said about 50 surrenderers have been able to bring in suspected drug personalities to MCPO as of yesterday.

The initiative is part of MCPO's Operation Tok-hang in Mandaue City, a means of waging war against illegal drugs.

As to where the MCPO will get the budget from the groceries intended for the drug surrenderers, Alanas said they get it from their personal pockets and from donations, and from the cash given by the Police Regional Office-7.

"To those who are willing to donate, we are willing to accept them as long as they are for the surrenderers," Alanas added.

For surrenderers who tried to encourage other drug personalities to surrender but were refused, Alanas said they will get their names and the police will visit their homes to conduct Operation Tokhang.

To strengthen their campaign against illegal drugs, Alanas will also be using a police mascot, which was specially ordered from Manila and bought for P41, 500.

"We will name the mascot SPO1 Mandaue," Alanas said, adding that the mascot is expected to arrive on December 16.

Alanas said there will be two police personnel who will take turns in putting on the mascot suit for programs the MCPO will be organizing in line with its anti-illegal drug campaign.

The mascot is an initiative of MCPO, with the assistance of Police Regional Office-7.

MCPO had earlier launched Operation Text-hang (text-hangyo) and Operation Tap-hang (tapok-hangyo) last September. (FREEMAN)