Mayor orders intensified drive vs illegal drugs

DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio ordered the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) to intensify its campaign against illegal drugs in the metropolis.

DCPO Director Ronald dela Rosa said he directed his men to run after those involved in illegal drugs without letup.

"We are aiming high. We have limitless standards," Dela Rosa told Sun.Star Davao Tuesday morning.

Hours earlier, law enforcers from Sta. Ana Police Station arrested three men in shabu session inside a house along San Roque, Barangay 22-C, Piapi Boulevard at 6:30 p.m. of Monday.

The arrest of Edmer Parinas, 30, resident of Mankilam, Tagum City; Arnold Pinas, 26; and Raul Beleran, 18, brought to 11 the total number of arrested individuals for illegal drugs since police operations intensified starting January 4.

Dela Rosa said although Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Davao Director Emerson Rosales said there is no big-time drug syndicate operating in Davao City, his law enforcers are working overtime in ridding the metropolis of drug pushers and users.

“All we have are small fish but there are many players," Dela Rosa said.

He said the mayor wants a heightened campaign against illegal drugs and solve the drugs problem since 80 percent of crimes committed in Davao City for 2012 are drugs-related.

For the entire 2012, the PDEA and the Philippine National Police (PNP) arrested a total of 532 individuals in Davao Region for violating Republic Act 9165, or The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

This year, the DCPO chief said they will hit even harder against criminals.