THE chief of the Cebu City Police Office has said declaring a barangay drug-free is an exercise in futility.
“For me, it’s not realistic. Kayo, nakatira kayo sa barangay, maniwala kayo (You who live in the barangay, do you believe it)?” Senior Supt. Royina Garma told reporters.
She said there should be barangay-based drug rehabilitation centers for drug users. The local government units, she said, must start looking for logistics and manpower.
The police official said the seriously affected barangays should be prioritized.
“Kung diniklir mo na free yan, wala na kang gagawin dahil free na nga, eh,” Garma said. “Pag nag-operate ka dun at nasira mo yung perception na free baka magalit pa sa yo ang barangay captain o whoever kung sinong nagpirma na free.”
She said the a barangay declared as drug-free should be monitored constantly.
“What if mahulihan sa barangay mo (What if there’s still drugs in your barangay)? What is the sanction?” Garma said.
No barangay in Cebu City’s 80 villages can be considered as drug-free. Last week, three drug personalities yielded more than P14 million worth of shabu in Barangay San Nicolas. (KAL)