Tomas supports police's revival of war on drugs

CEBU, Philippines - There really is a need to resume the anti-illegal drug campaign for the country to suppress the drug menace.

This was the reaction of Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña to the report that President Rodrigo Duterte has given the go signal to the Philippine National Police (PNP) to resume operations.

"It's needed. It's absolutely needed. Drugs would destroy this country. You know as emotional and how dirty his mouth was, the president is telling the truth," Osmeña told reporters yesterday.

He said the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) cannot penetrate well on anti-illegal drug operations since it prioritizes those identified high valued targets.

"Nakulangan ang PDEA. Maayo ang ilahang performance pero dili na madala kutob ra sila sa dagko nga bust," Osmeña said.

Because of the one-month suspension of the PNP's operation against illegal drugs, Osmeña said drug personalities have gone back to doing their illegal activities.

"It is like an infection, you stop your medication, and it will spread again. Kinahanglan gyud constant," he further said.

Osmeña admitted that it is not easy to suppress the illegal drug trade, that countries that are richer than the Philippines have been unable to eliminate it.

"Even USA had a hard time fighting drugs. They have billions of dollars, and they have helicopters, all this solar X-Ray test. They have the best laboratory backing equipment… millions are taking drugs in USA, so don't think it's easy here," he said.

Osmeña hopes that the renewed fight against drugs would last for long this time.

"The most important thing is not on the intensity. It must be sustainable, do not run 100 percent and then run out of gas and then give up," he said.

As this develops, Osmeña also divulged that he has a plan to put up 100 K-9 dogs to check all areas in the city, specifically those areas reported as locations for the illegal drug trade.

He said the handlers will be previous drug dependents from the same areas as they themselves know where there is a so-called 'shabu tiange.'

"That's going to be a program I'm trying to put together in my term," Osmeña said, adding that the program needs to be well-planned in order for it to be efficient.

Last Thursday, Vice  Mayor Edgardo Labella said he hopes that the revived "Oplan Tokhang" would be a better version of the program and that the rule of law would be observed.

"Oplan Tokhang" has claimed more than 7,000 lives and was momentarily suspended after allegations that it has been used by some rogue policemen for their own profit. (FREEMAN)