DEPARTMENT of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. commended Cebu for creating the One Cebu Inter-Agency Interdiction Task Force, which he said may be replicated in other areas in the country.
The task force was formed on November 14, 2022 by the Cebu Provincial Government together with several government agencies and local officials in line with their aim to prevent the spread of illegal drugs and other contraband in Cebu province. It was also formed after Governor Gwendolyn Garcia declared an “all-out war” against illegal drugs in Cebu on September 15.
“It is very possible that it could be replicated. I just came from Negros Oriental, I’ve told them to also wage war on gambling, on e-sabong kasi it has to stop,” said Abalos.
Abalos visited the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Central Visayas on Tuesday, December 27, 2022, together with Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief General Rodolfo Azurin Jr. to meet the region’s police forces.
He urged the Central Visayas police forces to strengthen the war on drugs in the region and the country.
Abalos said all sectors of the society, including the churches, schools and government agencies have to work hand in hand to fight the illegal drug problem.
The DILG chief also commended the performance of the PRO-Central Visayas in the fight against illegal drugs, illegal gambling and criminality.
He said the government will announce something big before the end of this year about the country’s fight against illegal drugs.
Abalos said they will focus on some specific programs, but he did not mention which program.
“Pagsapit ng bagong taon, there will be a big statement coming from us. Ako at si Chief Azurin, and this is the war against drugs. I want each and every one of you to do as what is expected of us because of the oath that we have undertaken in accordance with the constitution,” he said.
The National Government earlier launched the “Buhay ay Ingatan, Droga ay Ayawan” (Bida) campaign to solve the illegal drug problem.
The campaign aims to arrest all big-time drug pushers in the country, but Abalos called on the police to strengthen their campaign, stressing that the illegal drug problem is very hard to end. (AYB/LMY)