Capitol gives incentives to cops for drug raids

CEBU, Philippines – Some 49 personnel of the Cebu Provincial Police Office received incentives from the provincial government for their successful anti-illegal drug operations in Cebu this year.

Governor Hilario Davide III handed over yesterday the incentives to the police personnel who were part of the teams that successfully went after drug dealers and pushers. The amount given to each police officer ranged from P5, 000 to P15, 000 for each operation.

Superintendent Rodulfo Albutra, head of the Provincial Intelligence Branch, and CPPO director Noel Gillamac received P15, 000 or P10, 000 each in every operation, said Joey Herrera, executive director of the Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Commission (CPADAC).

He added that the amount given to the police officers vary, depending on the nature of operation conducted, as provided in the CPADAC’s guidelines on giving of awards and incentives. He said the value of the seized drugs and the impact of the operations are also considered.

He pointed out the anti-drug operation in San Remigio in May this year which yielded two kilos of shabu worth more than P23 million.

He explained that granting incentives to the police is the province’s way of encouraging law enforcement agencies to act on the reports it receives.

The CPPO has conducted 11 anti-illegal drug operations in the towns of San Remigio with two operations, Balamban (2), Consolacion, Sibonga, and Moalboal, and the cities of Danao, Carcar, Toledo, and Naga.

In an interview after handing out the checks, Albotra said it is their moral obligation to support the province’s crusade to weed out illegal drugs in different localities despite the weak cooperation from some communities.

“This is not only a fight of our law enforcement (agencies), but also a fight of everybody,” he told reporters. —/ATO (FREEMAN)