‘Some surrenderees fake drug addiction’

TUGUEGARAO CITY – Not all of those who have surrendered under Oplan Tokhang are drug pushers or users, an official said.

Isabela Gov. Faustino Dy III said some fake their drug addiction to take advantage of the livelihood assistance given by local government units.

In a recent gathering of the Isabela League of Mayors and Barangay Chairmen in Ilagan City, Dy cited need for suspected drug pushers and users to submit themselves to drug test and background investigation.

 “We have to evaluate if the drug user … is really a drug user. Otherwise we may be dealing with someone who pretends to be one and avails of our aid,” Dy said.

The provincial government provides up to P50,000 in livelihood assistance to drug personalities.

Dy clarified that their rehabilitation program applies only to drug users.

“A drug personality’s surrender is not a guarantee he is off the hook,” he said.

Isabela has the highest number of drug personalities who surrendered in Cagayan Valley with 3,032, a report of the regional police community relations office obtained by The STAR showed. 

Ilagan City prosecutor Antonio Abogado said the police could be held liable for obstruction of justice if they would not file charges against suspected drug pushers.

Meanwhile, the number of drug personalities who have surrendered continues to increase.

At least 27,000 have surrendered in Central Luzon, said Chief Superintendent Aaron Aquino, regional police chief.

In Pampanga alone, 8,774 gathered at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center yesterday to sign an oath of undertaking to stop their illegal activities.

Aquino said 596 persons have been arrested in various anti-drug operations and 10,496 houses visited under Oplan Tokhang. – Raymund Catindig, Ric Sapnu and Ding Cervantes