Marikina anti-drugs campaign expanded

More than a month after the successful "quarantine" of two areas in Marikina City, the city government expanded the anti-drug measures this week to 14 more barangays, which the police recently confirmed as "drug-risk" areas.

Mayor Bayani Fernando led the launching Monday of the "quarantine" operations in Blocks 4 and 6 in Barangay UBB; Taurus street in Cinco Hermanos in Barangay Industrial Valley, Malvar street in Barangay Dela Paz and corner Tuazonville and Mangahan, Barangay Tanong in a bid to eliminate drug abuse in the city.

As in Singakamas and Mais streets in Barangay Concepcion Union, the local government also posted security personnel in four barangays to 'screen' all visitors going in and out of the areas. The other areas described as "drug-risk" areas by Superintendent Leo Kison, chief of Marikina City police, are Fernando Avenue in Barangay Kalumpang, A. Mabini street in Barangay San Roque; Cruz street in Barangay Sta. Elena; Nalugod street in Barangay Sto. Niño; Minahan Interior; Barangay Malanday, H. Bautista street in Barangay Concepcion 1; Balubad in Barangay Nangka; Cruz compound in Barangay Parang, Tanguile Settlements, Barangaray Marikina Heights and Olive street in Concepcion II.

Fernando will also declare the other areas under 'quarantine.'

Kison listed the 14 areas as "drug-risk" after thorough consultations with barangay officials and residents.

Last Jan. 24, Fernando declared Mais and Singkamas Streets in Sitio Tumana, Barangay Concepcion 1 as drug-prone areas. The drug menace has become a primary problem and all local governments have been called upon to counter it.

More than 30 suspected drug pushers and users have been arrested, 33 others voluntarily surrendered and became police assets and 83 others are still being hunted by Marikina police authorities.

Instead of adopting Interior Secretary Alfredo Lim's spray painting shame campaign, the Marikina City government posted "This is a drug-risk area," billboards and tightened security. Transients will not be allowed to enter unless they pass inspection and show identification cards.

This way, Marikina officials monitor everybody going in and out these restricted areas, and weed out the undesirables in their community. They can also record movements of suspected drug pushers closing deals with their clients.