Calizo concerned over sidelining of police on drug war

“I WOULD like to warn everybody especially government employees and officials that the non-participation of the police should not encourage them to go back to drugs.”

This was one of the manifestations made by Councilor Romeo V. Calizo, chairman of the City Council’s committee on police, fire and public safety in his special report during the regular session Wednesday presided over by Councilor Zaldy Ocon.

The councilor cited a memorandum from the Office of the President, which orders the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to handle the campaign against illegal drugs.

“It removes PNP personnel from the roster of those who will be included in the anti-illegal drugs operation leaving the PDEA alone in the campaign,” he cited.

According to the councilor, after the activation of the City Anti Drug Abuse Council (CADAC) last year, it was observed that at least three or four personnel were apprehended daily for involvement in the drug menace.

“Most of these accomplishments are because of the efforts of the police personnel. Yet not discounting the fact that the team involved also the participation of PDEA and some other members of the CADAC,” Calizo cited.

“But since last week, starting Oct. 11 until now, we have zero accomplishments in so far as arresting those suspects in the illegal drug trade is concern and this is alarming,” the councilor disclosed.

He said in the barangay level, efforts will be useless in the absence of the police since the participation of the PDEA is only on High-Value Targets (HVT) and not on the aspect of law enforcement.

“Deputizing our barangay tanods or those that are involved in the anti-illegal drugs operations by the barangays alone without the police is very much irrelevant,” he stressed.

Calizo proposed that the matter be referred to the Liga ng Mga Barangay for a resolution requesting the president to include the police in the anti-illegal drugs campaign. (JAO)