Editorial: Renewed war vs illegal drugs

THE City Government of Davao's campaign against illegal drugs has been intensified anew, best illustrated when the metropolis' top policeman and a village chief walked side-by-side in scouring every nook and cranny of two barangays teeming with drug dealers and users.

It was a welcome sight for the people of Davao City longing to see government authorities minimize, if not totally eradicate, the illegal drugs menace pestering our society.

Davao City Police Office (DCPO) director Sr. Supt. Ronald dela Rosa and barangay captain Amilbangsa T. Manding, backed by around 70 police personnel, walked through 23-C, Mini Forest not only to look for pushers and users, but to remind residents how serious the city government is in the fight against illegal drugs.

Of course, not a single suspect was arrested as the move was telegraphic. But, the fact that even the city's top cop and barangay official took the lead in conducting a proactive drug eradication operation is always an aggressive maneuver to rid the city of illegal drugs. If authorities attained something out of the operation, it was to deliver the message very clear: The days of drug pushers in the city are numbered.

But why only now? Mini Forest has been known to be a lair of illegal drugs and yet Manding only acted today. It even took a rebuke from Vice Mayor Rodrigo Duterte over television for Manding to finally act on the problem besetting his barangay.

"I want him to do something about it," Duterte said in his regular TV program "Gikan sa Masa, Para sa Masa" aired Sunday morning.

Vice Mayor Duterte was right. The fight against illegal drugs starts with the barangay officials and barangay captains, as leaders of their villages, must spearhead the combat for no leader in his right mind would allow his area to be pestered with the illegal drugs menace.

It may be too late in the day for Manding, but at least he finally acted on the problem. Other barangay captains must do the same. They must take the lead in the war against illegal drugs for they know their community best.