Philippine National Police (PNP) XI Regional Director Police Brigadier General Alden Delvo firmly asserted that the war against illegal drugs is still ongoing during a courtesy call to Davao Oriental Governor N. Malanyaon at the Provincial Capitol on Friday, June 2, 2023. This was a prompt response to Governor Malanyaon’s inquiry regarding the PNP’s campaign to combat the spread of illegal drugs in the region.
In their conversation, PBGen Delvo briefed Governor Malanyaon about the drug situation in the Davao Region, pointing out how the drugs are being transported into and out of the region through various drug corridors within the region. He claimed that despite Davao Region’s relatively lower drug prevalence when compared to other areas of the country, he nonetheless continues to issue directions for simultaneous anti-criminality and drug monitoring across the region. RD Delvo also articulated how he gave his men clear orders to uphold morality while enforcing the law, particularly when dealing with drug-related incidents.
“We are at war with criminality, we are at war with insurgency, and certainly we are at war with drugs. As long as the drug menace is still on, the drug was is still on,” Delvo remarked.
Governor Malanyaon greatly welcomed RD Delvo’s remarks, stating it was in line with her goal of eradicating drug-related crime in the province. The governor of Davao Oriental has made no secret of her desire to see the province declared “drug-free” by 2024. She even drew the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council’s (PADAC) attention to the need to additionally focus on the key figures driving the influx of illegal drugs into the province.
“The people should know that we are serious about this matter and that strong measures are being implemented to counter this,” she said.
Summerfrolic and Threats of Party Drugs
Safety and security concerns about the upcoming Summerfrolic were also covered during the conversation together with PNP Provincial Director PCol Francis Donald C. Brillante and Provincial Administrator Maria Gracia Tiago. While the annual beach party, which takes place at Dahican Beach in Mati City and is regarded as the biggest beach festival in the region significantly contributes to the province’s tourist arrival and stirring the local economy, it has also been noted during previous editions of the increasing use of party drugs.
In order to prevent the potential usage of illegal drugs in the area from casting a shadow over the event, Governor Malanyaon has ordered thorough monitoring of the party area and surrounding areas as part of the preparations. She also noted the operationalization of tourism police which will aid in reducing crime in well-known tourist destinations like Dahican Beach.
The PNP has also committed to closely monitoring the event, stepping up security precautions by setting up strategic checkpoints and increasing police visibility to ward off any worries about safety. In order to counter any possible threats, RD Delvo has also promised to augment mobile forces for the event. By Francis Jay Butulan | Photos By Mark Oliver Alvite
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