Azurin hails PRO11 for successful ‘drug-clearing’ ops
PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr., on Thursday, commended the “drug-clearing” efforts of the Police Regional Office 11 (PRO11) headed by Brigadier Gen. Benjamin H. Silo Jr. in Southern Mindanao.
The top cop issued his congratulatory message to the PRO11 during the recognition ceremony of seven “drug-cleared” municipalities in Southern Mindanao, the first to attain the status out of the 48 municipalities in the Davao region.
The Regional Oversight Committee on Barangay Drug-Clearing (ROCBDC 11), chaired by Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 11 Director Aleen Lovitos, officially declared the municipalities of Talaingod and San Isidro in Davao del Norte; Sta. Maria and Malita in Davao Occidental; Mawab in Davao de Oro; Boston in Davao Oriental, and Malalag in Davao del Sur as drug-cleared municipalities following a thorough validation.
The mayors and the respective Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Council or MADAC focal persons of the seven municipalities and their respective chiefs of police were recognized by Azurin and Silo.
Also given commendations during the event were several personalities who have contributed significantly to ensure the success of the Davao Region’s barangay drug-clearing program.
They include Lovitos, DILG Region 11 official Abdullah Matalam and Samsia Sandukan of the Department of Health (DOH) Region 11.
Silo said that the ROCBDC 11 deliberated the seven applicant local government units (LGUs) for their “drug-cleared municipality” status last November 16 at the PRO11 headquarters in Davao City.
After scrutinizing the presented required documents, the ROCBDC 11 officially declared the seven applicant LGUs as drug-cleared municipalities.
Silo said the overall success of their barangay drug-clearing program could be attributed to the collective effort and collaboration between the PRO11 and all other concerned government agencies in the region.
“Drug-cleared” municipalities and barangay are those which have been found to have no more availability of drug supply, absence of drug use and trafficking activities, clandestine drug warehouses, marijuana cultivations sites, and drug dens, dive or resorts, as well as those areas with the active involvement of the Barangay, Sangguniang Kabataan and the community om addressing the illegal drug problem.
