Multi-agency task force versus drugs launched

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Police Office along with at least eight other law-enforcement agencies yesterday launched a Multi-agency Anti-illegal Drugs Task Force (MAD-TF).

CCPO director Melvin Ramon Buenafe said the task force is aimed to create a community that is hostile to illegal drugs and at the same time shield the community from it.

With the creation of the task force, Buenafe said the public can expect a series of operations against illegal drugs. He also promised to inspect their own ranks to find out the bad eggs.

Even before the formal launching of MAD-TF, the group already carried out operations last week in Calamba leading to the arrest of eight people for allegedly visiting a suspected drug den as well as the arrest of a female level two drug pusher in Camputhaw.

The task force is composed of the CCPO, Police Coordinating and Advisory Council, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, National Bureau of Investigation, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Association of Barangay Captains, and Bureau of Fire Protection.

Buenafe invited the public to join this movement by committing themselves into the program.

“Simple lang (requirement for commitment) We have the acronym EAR: Educate our own families, relatives about the evils of illegal drugs and how they can avoid these. Letter A to avoid ourselves illegal drugs whatever we are, and letter R, report illegal drug activities like pushing, using , etc.,” Buenafe said.

“This is the first time that we combine efforts of different agencies and offices to have a comprehensive approach on illegal drugs which we have observed na isa sa mga major problems ng city ngayon,” Buenafe added.

The police encouraged the public to give information through the following numbers: 232-9370, 232-6705, 233-6795, mobile numbers 09998022999 and 092661096000. (FREEMAN)