Police chiefs told to clear 2 drug-affected barangays

BY RUBY P. SILUBRICO

ILOILO – After the successful arrest of drug pushers in the province, Senior Supt. Cornelio Salinas, provincial police director, directed his police chiefs to conduct clearing operations in drug-affected barangays of their respective areas of responsibility.

Salinas said he had given his police chiefs the chance to show their expertise and dedication in eradicating illegal drugs.

In a recent conference with all police personnel, Salinas told them to clear at least two barangays within the months of June to August and monitor the movements of drug pushers.

He told the police chiefs to coordinate with municipal officials, other government agencies like the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health and Department of Education to hit their target – clear at least two barangays.

“It’s not impossible to clear two barangays in three months if other government agencies and local government units will do their share. This is a test to the local government units and chief executives on how to execute this clearing operation,” Salinas said.

He also encouraged Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADAC) and the community to help the police.

The provincial police director has already sent letters to municipal mayors and concerned agencies regarding this program.

Salinas also told his men to conduct symposia in schools about the ill-effects of drugs and its penalties.

“We have to show that we are really serious in eradicating illegal drugs by arresting drug dealers. The police could not do it alone. We need serious participation of all sectors in the society,” Salinas added.

He said he was closely coordinating with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for the operations./PN