A total of 13,127 self-confessed drug pushers and drug users have already voluntarily surrendered to the police in Negros Oriental since July 1st last year following the government’s launching of its massive anti-illegal drugs campaign Project Double Barrel.
Also known as Oplan TokHang, the anti-illegal drugs campaign in Negros Oriental has also resulted in at least 17 or more perceived extra-judicial killings of alleged drug personalities.
The latest accomplishment report of the Negros Oriental Philippine National Police Provincial Office as of Jan. 10 showed that of the 13,127 surrenderees, 12,195 of them were drug users while 932 were drug pushers.
The municipality of Sibulan topped the list of the ten areas with the highest number of surrenders at 1,146 (eight pushers and 1,146 users), followed by Guihulngan City with 1,056 (105 pushers and 951 users); Tanjay City with 1,030 (131 pushers and 899 users); Sta. Catalina with 855 (89 pushers and 766 users); Bayawan City with 846 (85 pushers and 761 users); Bais City with 842 (99 pushers and 743 users); Siaton with 659 (14 pushers and 645 users); Canlaon City with 626 (15 pushers and 611 users); Mabinay with 609 (29 pushers and 580 users); and, Bacong with 593 surrenders (five pushers and 588 users).
Dumaguete City, the provincial capital, registered a total of 511 surrenders (61 pushers and 450 users) while Basay, the farthest town in the south, had the least number of surrenders at 115 (seven pushers and 108 users), the police report showed.
Other areas with their respective number of surrenders are: Amlan, 316 (10 pushers and 306 users); Ayungon, 303 (53 pushers and 250 users); Bindoy, 213 (40 pushers and 173 users); Dauin (one pusher and 508 users); Jimalalud, 331 (seven pushers and 324 users); La Libertad, 416 (21 pushers and 395 users); Manjuyod, 130 (seven pushers and 123 users); Pamplona, 292 (14 pushers and 278 users); San Jose, 400 (four pushers and 396 users); Tayasan, 228 (84 pushers and 144 users); Valencia, 536 (21 pushers and 515 users); Vallehermoso, 286 (11 pushers and 275 users); and, Zamboanguita with 279 surrenders (11 pushers and 268 users).
In an interview Wednesday morning, Sr. Supt. Henry Biñas, the Acting PNP provincial director of Negros Oriental, disclosed that the police will continue to encourage pushers and users to voluntarily turn themselves in for documentation purposes.
He further disclosed that the next step for the police this year is to start clearing the barangays of suspected drug personalities.
This will be done in cooperation with the barangay captains, Biñas explained.
According to him, some barangays in Negros Oriental have been identified as subjects for clearing operations.
Meanwhile, Sr. Supt. Biñas also revealed that due to relentless operations under Oplan TokHang here, the supply of shabu in the local market has dwindled over the past months.
This, in turn, has resulted in the increase in the prices of shabu in the streets, he added.
He admitted, though, there are still some people who persist to engage in the illegal drugs trade despite warnings from the police.
On extra-judicial killings, the Provincial Police Director said that while the Commission on Human Rights here may have reported at least 17 cases, police records show there could be more than that although his office is still collating data from last year.
Sr. Supt. Biñas, however, assured that not a single police personnel in the Province is involved, or has been accused of participation in all of these supposed EJKs. (PNA/JFP)
