Police mull drug-free tag for 11 barangays

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) is currently deliberating on the possibility of declaring 11 barangays in the city as “drug-cleared” communities.

Police Lt. Col. Janette Rafter, CCPO Deputy City Director for Operations, said they will help these barangays with their needs in achieving their goal of being declared as such.

Rafter said the Community Affairs Division, under the leadership of Police Lt. Col. Albert Quilitorio, will hold an oversight meeting every week with the presence of personnel from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Cebu City’s Office for Substance Abuse Prevention, barangay officials and police stations concerned to guide these barangays for drug clearing.

"Mao na nga every week as much as possible kung mag-coincide lang ang schedule aning mga agencies involved magpa-conduct gyud siya og deliberation or a sort of an oversight para tan-awon namo, asa na, unsay kinahanglan, magiyahan nato ang mga barangay," said Rafter.

She added that in the 11 barangays that they are closely looking at, about three of these have a high possibility of being declared “drug cleared” for following and complying with the processes set.

"Kana sila nakahuman na sila atong CBDRP, nahuman nato ang documentary requirement, kinahanglang aktibidades sa ilang barangay…it’s just that ang uban nga documents expired na," said Rafter.

Rafter is hoping to increase the existing 13 barangays in Cebu City that are already drug cleared.

She also said that one of the goals of drug clearing is to help drug users who are willing to change and be helped. — GAN (FREEMAN)