CAMP KANGLEON, PALO, Leyte- Region 8 has obtained 18% drug-cleared barangays since Barangay Drug Clearing Operations have been implemented in October 2016, says Police Chief Supt. Elmer Beltejar, regional director of Police Regional Office 8.
He said that the entire region has 370 barangays in different towns and cities that are already drug-cleared in collaboration with the local government officials since the new administration launched its intensified narco-war.
PC/Supt. Beltejar said that the number was the latest recorded so far as of January 3, 2017.
The region has a total of 2, 474 affected barangays from 4, 390 total number of barangays with a variance of 2,104 total number of barangays to be cleared from drugs.
All these said barangays underwent rigorous evaluation down to the grassroots in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils and PRO8 aims to declare more municipalities/barangays as drug-free this year with the continuous implementation of Project Double Barrel-Alpha, Beltejar adds.
Moreover, the declaration of the drug-free barangays is based on the following factors: non-availability of drug supply; absence of drug transit/transshipment activity; absence of clandestine drug laboratory; absence of clandestine drug warehouse; absence of clandestine chemical warehouse; absence of marijuana cultivation site; absence of drug den, dive or resort; absence of drug pusher; absence of drug user/dependent; absence of protector/coddler and financier; active involvement of barangays officials in anti-drug activities; active involvement of Sangguniang Kabataan to help maintain the drug-liberated status of the barangay; existence of drug awareness, preventive education and information, and other related programs; and existence of voluntary and compulsory drug treatment and rehabilitation processing desk.
Beltejar considers the police operations against illegal drugs a “success” with the drug supply in the region cut by as much as 90% since the implementation of Project Double Barrel-Alpha and has challenged more cities and municipalities to protect their communities from being infiltrated by illegal drugs.
Likewise, PRO8 urges the public to support the police in waging the war against illegal drugs by providing relevant and timely information in their respective places to report to your nearest police station or through social media (Twitter – @Pro8Pcrd or Facebook Page – PNP RegionEight) or through the following: Dial 117 or text 2920; RPCRD 09173238683/ 09088146421; RTOC 09173114794 /09478907155 and Isumbong Mo Kay Tsip 09178475757. (PR)
