AN OFFICIAL of the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo) vowed to run after suspected drug personalities, rich or poor.
"We don't care kung dako ba ka ug position dinhi sa inyong barangay, we will run after you. Undanga na ninyo. Naa sa rules of engagement na kung musukol mo sa amo, your life will be put to an end," Police Chief Inspector Ariel Phillip Pontillas, commander of the Agora Police Station, said Thursday, June 23.
The "Oplan Tokhang" launched by the Cagayan de Oro City Police Office (Cocpo) Thursday served as a warning to suspected drug personalities in Barangay 26 to stop their involvement in illegal drugs trade otherwise they will end up in jail, or worse, die.
Pontillas, together with some 10 police officers, a pastor, and barangay officials, visited the homes of suspected drug personalities in Barangay 26 as part of Cocpo’s Oplan Tokhang.
Based on a list compiled by the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (Badac) and verified by the police, the policemen visited 26 alleged drug personalities, 10 of whom are suspected pushers or runners, with one suspect an incumbent barangay tanod, and another a barangay kagawad.
All the 26 suspected drug users and pushers were visited by authorities, except for the barangay kagawad whom Pontillas said is 'sick.'
"We won't name the person. But we will visit him nga kami lang because we worry for his health condition," Pontillas said.
Barangay 26 chairman Alex Dela Cerna said in an interview that it took them several months in finalizing the list to make sure they got the right person.
The process included the hiring of informants to validate information and the holding of several meetings of Badac to finalize the list.
Dela Cerna said the process was difficult as neighbors often complained, leading to tension in the community.
"Naay nangasuko kay unfair daw kuno kay naay uban nga ga-suyop pero wala naapil sa lista, pero dili lang kabalak-an kay naa pa kita'y follow-up nga in-ani na list, another batch na pud," Dela Cerna assured.
The operation Tokhang, which began at about nine a.m. and ended at noon, was without incident, Pontillas said.
Pontillas said the drug suspects were cooperative and most of them admitted they were involved in illegal drugs trade.
A listed drug suspect, who requested anonymity, admitted before police and barangay officials that he uses shabu, a habit the 38-year-old construction worker, said is necessary to keep him working.
"Kailangan man gud sa work nako as construction worker kay kapoy, dili man madala lang ug kape kay bilar," he said.
A father of three, the 38 year-old suspect, said he will stop his drug habit.
"Okay man ni nga kampanya, at least dili sa ka arestuhon, hatagan ug chance, basin gyud ug epektibo ni," he added.
Rosalinda Jaradal, 52, a resident of the barangay said the campaign is good especially for parents to discipline their children.
"Sa ingani na pamaagi, dili gyud magmahay ang ginikanan kay gi-anhian gud sila, gipahibalo. Maayo lang unta lage dili sila mo-konsente," Jaradal said.
Pontillas said Barangay Lapasan is of particular concern when it comes to the prevalence of illegal drugs.
He said he will conduct another round of home visitations in the next days in other target barangays.
"Magpadayon ang atong monitoring after ingani kay sa among pag-anhi, dili pud mi mutuo gyud na mo-undang na sila. As to the impact, dako siya ug impact kay nakahatag mi ug mensahe sa ila nga we know their activities, kabalo mi kinsa sila, ug kabalo mi asa sila mapangita," Pontillas said.
The City Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force arrested June 23 two suspects, one of whom was a former police, in a raid of a drug den at Zone 7, Macanhan, Barangay Carmen here.
Police identified the suspects as Police Officer 1 John Lenard Paylan and one Rogelio Claro, 40 years old, the owner of the alleged drug den.
Recovered from the suspected drug den and from the suspects were two sachets of suspected shabu and other drug paraphernalia.
Claro denied his house was being used as a drug den and said he was only helping a friend look for a job.
He said he did not know that the latter brought illegal drugs with him.