EDITORIAL - Upping the ante

In what has been one of the biggest operations against the illegal drug trade in Cebu in recent years, at least six persons were killed and scores were arrested by authorities in different areas across the province on Wednesday.

The fatalities included three in Talisay City. Two alleged drug personalities were also killed in Mandaue City while one suspect was slain in the town of Carmen. The simultaneous operation, which started at Tuesday midnight and ended 11 a.m. on Wednesday, netted more than 70 suspected drug pushers and recovered more than P8 million worth of illegal drugs.

Relatives of those killed cried foul during the operation. They were quick to allege their loved ones were summarily executed by the raiding policemen.  And we can expect the Commission on Human Rights to immediately launch an investigation into the incidents.

But Police Regional Office-7 director Debold Sinas explained the suspects had initiated a shootout that led to their death, saying the public will witness more police operations in the coming days. “There will be more to come in the future. The operation today was a success though unfortunate nang may nanlaban lang talaga. As long as the suspects will not engage police in a shootout, okay lang,” he said.

The recent massive operation only confirmed President Rodrigo Duterte’s pronouncement that illegal drugs are rampant in Cebu and that the province tops the list of drug-infested areas in the country.

Well, it’s really hard to argue with the president when the police have their day confiscating illegal drugs and arresting suspects. Even Cebu City Police Office director Royina Garma was surprised by the huge amount of drugs seized during the seven-hour operation in the city.

On the positive side, it’s good the local authorities are heightening their drive against illegal drugs. For this only means they have seriously taken the president’s statement as a big challenge and are determined to up the ante on those involved.