Talisay drug problem drops by 70 percent

CEBU, Philippines — The illegal drug problem of Talisay City has decreased by approximately 70 percent after the intensified operations and campaign against illegal drugs, the local police said.

Earlier, President Rodrigo Duterte had said during his speech at the Sinulog celebration that the Talisay drug problem has gone worse.

Police Major Gerard Ace Pelare, Talisay City Police Station Chief, said the situation on their focused Barangays of Tangke and San Roque has mellowed down in terms of illegal drugs proliferation.  In fact, it lowered down to approximately 70 percent with 118 arrested drug suspects just in January alone.

Pelare also said that they have conducted a house-to-house program to check the efficiency of their program that started when they have isolated the said barangays.

“Sa pagkakaron we found out na nigamay jud ang drug incidents kay ang nahitabo man gud dira kay kung mag check point ka, automatic di na kasulod ang mga mamalitay.  Unya ang Tangke ug San Roque sauna, nidaghan na sila tungod sa market, sa mamalitay,” Pelare said.

He added that elimination of drug users was a factor in the decrease of the illegal drug activities.

“Sa pagkakaron nga normalized na namo ang Tangke, what we are anticipating is mo-spill over siya sa laing barangays.  So, if makita ninyo karon sa among mga latest na dakop, dili na Tangke, kay this is the effect of what we have done in Tangke,” Pelare said.

After a month of operations and intensified patrolling of the Talisay Police in the illegal drug contaminated area Barangay Tangke, the illegal activities have been contained.

The checkpoint area at the entrance and exit points has been guarded and patrolled by the members of Regional Mobile Force Batallion (RMFB-7) 24/7.

In the streets of Barangay Tangke, the residents were visibly seen living a normal life now, which according to the PCR Head of Talisay City Police Master Sargent Rey Montalban, was not a normal scene before whenever they see police personnel patrolling around the area.

“Sauna base sa among observation, katong wala pa ni sya gi-estrikto sa Tangke Talisay, pag makakita sila ug police managan man sila.  Unsa may reason? Murag naay psychological effect nga katong gi-estrikto ang pag-implement diri sa Talisay nga katong naay mga intention mo-commit ug crime, managan gyud sila,” he said.

Montalban added that the community has been responsive and cooperative in their operations.

Mack Racasa, 43, who has been living in Barangay Tangke for more than 40 years, said that he could feel the changes with regards to their security at present with the help of the police presence.

“Mas nindot karon kay limpyo na ba, mas peaceful na..lahi ra jud,” said Racasa, a fisherman.

Jose, 61, said he was part of the program that the authorities have offered to them when they have surrendered to clear their name on their alleged involvement with illegal drugs.

“Naangin mi sa mga surrenderees. Nipalista nalang sad mi, nagpadayon nalang mi pag-surrender.  Karon naming buwana matapos isip pagluwas sa among ngalan,” he said.

He added that he understands that the police visibility and presence is to secure them and prevent the illegal drug sources from coming back to their place. (FREEMAN)