Policemen awarded for major drug bust

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Commission yesterday awarded the officials and personnel of the Provincial Intelligence Branch of the Cebu Provincial Police Office for another successful operation against illegal drugs.

Governor Hilario Davide III and Board Member Carmen Durano-Meca, CPADAC chairman and vice chairwoman, respectively, led the turnover of plaques of recognition and cash incentives to PIB officials led by Supt. Rodolfo Albotra Jr.

Albotra received P10,000 cash while 11 others; Insp. Rogelio Amoroso Jr., SPO1s Reynaldo Solante and Francis Alen Villamor; PO3s Roderick Balili, Sheilo Quimat, Enrico Quirante and Rizalito Recongo; PO2s Lea Juarez, Rey Mora, Jonathan Buscato and Earl Warren Martinez, got P5,000 each.

They were awarded for their "gallant courage in answering the call of duty for a successful anti-drug operation."

Davide asked the awardees to be more aggressive in the campaign against drugs in the Province of Cebu.

The team was responsible for the arrest of drug pusher William Mercader and five others in Sitio Navarra, Barangay Canhabagat, Medellin town, last February.

Recovered were 82 small packs, two medium packs and a large pack of shabu worth P65,500, a KG-9 pistol and magazine with 21 9mm rounds, a high capacity Nighthawk .45 cal. pistol and magazine with 10 .45 rounds, a high capacity Sam .45 cal. pistol and magazine with 11 rounds, a  Black Widow .22 cal. revolver with four rounds, cellular phones and assorted drug paraphernalia, in the house owned by Mercader.

Mercader was said to be a Level 1 drug pusher who can sell more than a kilo of shabu in a week. His area of operation reportedly included the towns of Daanbantayan and San Remigio.

Drug conference

With the help of other government agencies and the private sector, the provincial government hopes to address the huge concern of drug abuse in the province.

During a recent conference with representatives of various sectors and chief executives of municipalities and cities in the province, the governor said he is working towards mitigating the drug concern in Cebu.

"The drug abuse problem is a problem of society," said Davide, explaining that the reluctance of the family of illegal drug dependents to seek for counseling is one of the problems.

There is also the concern that there are not enough rehabilitation centers in Cebu.

During a consultative workshop between private stakeholders and officials of the provincial government last Wednesday, it was suggested that province establish a province-managed rehab center for drug-challenged youths.

Davide said that they recognize this and the problems at hand.

"We are working with government agencies and the private sector to provide solutions to this problem," he said.

Another proposal during the workshop was to have a provincial government-run center for children and youths who are in conflict with the law.

Further, Davide said the participation of the youth sector in more programs can also help address the concern.

"We encourage our youth, sports leaders, the private sector and other stakeholders to come together as a team and prepare a provincial sports roadmap. Focus should be on grassroots sports, which will benefit more and needing less resource to excel in their respective events," Davide said.

In the workshop, the household sector proposed the implementation of the Provincial Youth Commission, more advocacy on laws for children, youth and families.  —(FREEMAN)