AUTHORITIES in the Summer Capital noted a decrease in crimes following the crackdown on illegal drug users.
Baguio City Police Office director Senior Superintendent George Daskeo in a report said there was 25.33 percent decrease with 186 crimes recorded in the month of July as compared to 241 cases in June.
Daskeo said the decrease in crime can be attributed to the relentless effort of the police to catch drug users and peddlers which are mostly involved in crimes.
“Persons involved in crimes are involved in drugs. Yan ang lumalabas sa mga record natin. Lahat ng mga normal individual hindi naman niya kayang gawin yung mga ginagawa na nangrarape ng lola, nangrarape ng anak, pumapatay ng ilang saksak, those are records yun ang talagang reality,” Daskeo told Sun.Star Baguio.
Daskeo added since several drug users surrendered, either arrested or killed in a legitimate operation, crimes in the city have decreased.
To date, 686 drug personalities have already surrendered to the BCPO, of which 92 admitted they were pushers while 564 were users.
Meanwhile, Daskeo advised the surrenderees to not go back to committing crimes.
“Nagsurrender na yung iba pero bumalik, walang mangyayari sayo. Police actions will definitely be following you kaya nga arrested sila, buy bust, police response, search warrants yun ang ginagawa namin at parang dinoble nila yung kasalanan nila, dahil nagsurrender na nga nagvow ng commitment tapos ganun din ang gagawin,” Daskeo said.
The Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council and BCPO have been monitoring those who surrendered and were given psychological and emotional counseling.