AN ANONYMOUS group is planning to give rewards to police officers under Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 who will score big in the anti-criminality campaign, including the drive against illegal drugs.
Chief Supt. Noli Taliño, the PRO 7 acting director, welcomes the group’s plan and they are now polishing the specifics of the reward system.
“May nag-vo-volunteer diyan na isang grupo, ayaw nilang magpakilala because of security concerns and these are peace-loving Cebuanos. They are willing to provide rewards to our policemen who will accomplish outstanding accomplishment in connection with our fight against illegal drugs,” he said in a speech yesterday.
He said they are open to any kind of support.
From July 1 until July 17, Taliño reported that 44,017 drug pushers and users surrendered to police offices in Bohol, Cebu Province, Cebu City, Mandaue City and Lapu-Lapu City.
Of the police offices, Bohol has the most personalities, who surrendered with 22,425.
Mandate
Taliño, in earlier reports, said their mandate is to fight criminals with or without reward.
Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña decided to stop giving P50,000 to an operative who can kill a drug pusher, after Senior Supt. Benjamin Santos was relieved as the city police director last week.
The mayor also said he will not give allowances to new police officers including Santos’s successor, Senior Supt. Joel Doria.
Taliño also said that several persons have sent text messages to the three hotlines set up by PRO 7, naming the junkies and drug pushers in their villages.
Support
The police official said the tougher drive against illegal drugs is gaining support from the public.
“Maraming nagsabi, pati sa social media, bakit ngayon lang nagkaroon ng pagbabago (A lot of people, including those in social media, are asking why are we seeing change only now? There are some who have doubts, negative reactions to this change that we are implementing in PRO 7,” said Taliño. “In the PNP, particularly PRO 7, we will not be affected by these negative reactions.”