Leni sees Quezon City baranggay’s anti-drug efforts as model

MANILA, Philippines — Vice President Leni Robredo yesterday lauded Quezon City’s data-driven anti-drug drive as she visited Salaam Compound, once considered among the notorious hubs for illegal drugs.

Robredo, assigned the country’s drug czar, commended the “very dramatic transformation” of the Salaam Compound in Barangay Culiat, previously described by police as impenetrable to law enforcers. 

“The city government showed the barangay what can be done to turn the situation around with no casualties,” she told reporters.

Robredo said she will study what factors “brought about success in Culiat. We will make this a model for barangays that are similarly situated.”

She noted that the Quezon City government  is currently implementing a central database that profile tens of thousands of surrenderees to enhance the city’s anti-drug drive. 

“This is crucial, from day one, data guides us to the problem,” she said.

Robredo said local officials claimed there have been no deaths since the community is in constant communication with the private sector, church, police and the local government unit. 

“This shows what we have been saying – the fight against illegal drugs is not the fight of the police or government alone, but of the whole community,” she said.

In 2016, Salaam Compound was raided at least twice, leading to the arrest of more than 200 persons.

On Thursday night, police seized 200 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu with a street value of P1.3 million and arrested Kirby Angelo Ruiz, 30; Albert John Pakingan, 19, and Dawn Marie Nonarte, 23, in a sting in Barangay Socorro.

At least six other people, including a 17-year-old boy, were arrested in separate operations in Barangays Gulod, Payatas and South Triangle.