Drug surrenderer in Lapu-Lapu returns to old habit

CEBU, Philippines — Only one of the 27 persons who used drugs (PWUDs) from Caubian, an islet barangay in Lapu-Lapu City, was recently tested positive in the one-time drug test examination facilitated by the City of Lapu-Lapu Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (CLOSAP).

This was despite the commitment forged by self-confessed drug users and pushers to disengage themselves from their illegal vices in exchange for a free reformation program.

The PWUD who tested positive will be subject to house visitation by the police and monitor his status.

CLOSAP executive director Garry Lao, in a statement, said the 27 PWUDs are now considered priority patients and will be part of the third batch of the community based-drug rehabilitation program (CBDRP) to be undertaken by the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council.

Under the six-month program, the PWUDs will receive physical conditioning, spiritual guidance, and among other activities aimed at helping them veer away from illegal drugs.

According to Lao, the PWUDs were considered low risk of using illegal drugs, and they are qualified for the community-based treatment and rehabilitation program.

Lao added that if the PWUDs are severely affected, they are recommended to a facility-based rehabilitation center.

Last year, a total of 28 drug users in the barangay qualified and graduated from the (CBDRP) of the city.

Commendation

Meanwhile, Mayor Junard "Ahong" Chan commended the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office and the entire staff for exemplary achievements in the performance of their duties.

Chan cited LLCPO’s unrelenting drive against illegal drugs, particularly the arrest of a high-value target individual, Pamela Legaspo, on April 8, 2023.

Legaspo was arrested in a buy-bust operation by the city police in Sitio Soong, Barangay Maribago.

The police seized 3.1 kilos of shabu with a standard drug price of P21.080 million and confiscated her cellphone and the P200,000 worth of boodle money used to purchase the illegal drugs.

“The teamwork, commitment and strong sense of determination demonstrated in the execution of high -impact operation and arrest of high value target merit distinction worthy of emulation by the rest of the PNP workforce," Chan said.

The mayor also commended the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Lapu-Lapu City and the Bureau of Customs Sub-Port of Mactan for the remarkable achievement over the arrest of a South African national after he was intercepted at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) for trying to smuggle around 17 kilos of illegal drugs worth P120 million on February 1, 2023.

Joseph Theodore Atila of the PDEA and Port Collector, Bureau of Customs Sub-Port of Mactan Geraldo A. Campo personally accepted the commendation.

In this connection, CLOSAP, being the office that coordinates with government offices and agencies involved in the enforcement of laws related to the prevention, suppression or regulation of illegal drugs and substances abuse recommends for the giving of cash incentives and commendation.

“The office firmly believes that giving of cash incentives and commendation to our law enforcers-the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-will boost the morale, and inspire them to work harder in implementing this program against drugs,” said Lao. — GMR (FREEMAN)