CV Police Possess “High Morale” in War Against Illegal Drugs

With a marching order to go head-on in the battle against illegal drugs, policemen in Central Visayas possess “high morale” with the support of no less than President Duterte and the chief of the Philippine National Police.

Chief Supt. Noli Taliño, regional director of the Police Regional Office (PRO-7), said policemen are more motivated now to take action against drug personalities knowing that the war against illegal drugs is a top priority of the commander-in-chief.

Taliño said unlike before, policemen are a bit hesitant in an all-out war amid the risk of being sued.

“With the full support of the President and the Chief PNP, our policemen are more motivated with high morale to wage war against the illegal drug problem,” said Taliño.

The PRO-7 chief also lauded the support of some businessmen and private individuals in Cebu who are willing to provide assistance including giving reward system to the police who can nab high-profile drug personalities.

“We have inked a MOA (Memorandum of Agreement) with some retired judges and fiscals who have volunteered to provide legal aid to police personnel who might be sued in the war against illegal drugs,” said Taliño.

But Taliño said that even without a reward system, the police would continue to do their job adding that the fight against illegal drugs need the total support of the local government units.

According to Taliño, part of the priority actions taken by the PRO-7 is the internal cleansing within the institution.

“We already have a list of personnel who are perceived to be drug protectors and we are now validating them,” claimed the PRO-7 director.

Meanwhile, Taliño welcomed the support of the Cebu Archdiocese which committed to open their church to those who surrendered and help them reform.

He also extolled the support of the Technical Education and Skills Authority (TESDA-7) by promising to provide skills training to those who surrendered for them to be “employable.”

“The support we receive means that the people are already fed up with the problem of illegal drugs and other forms of criminality,” said Taliño.

Over 60,000 drug users and pushers combined voluntarily surrendered to the police throughout the region from July 1 to 28 alone as the number continues to rise with the ongoing Tokhang Program of the police, Taliño said.

Under the Tokhang program, policemen will visit the houses of suspected drug users and pushers and ask them to stop using and trading illegal drugs and to voluntary surrender to the police.(rmn/fcr/PIA7)