Nearly 5,000 drug suspects yield in Negros Island Region

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – More than a week since the Duterte administration started,  a total of 4,786 drug pushers and users have surrendered to the authorities in the Negros Island Region.

From July 1 to 9, police records showed, 1,455 drug suspects have turned themselves in to authorities in Negros Occidental, while 3,331 yielded in Negros Oriental.

In Negros Occidental, Kabankalan City topped the list with 167, followed by Sipalay City with 160.

Other surrenderees came from Murcia with 148; Ilog – 111; Cauayan – 96; Binalbagan – 77; Bago City, Victorias City and Hinigaran with 72 each; Talisay City – 67; Himamaylan City – 61; E.B. Magalona – 57; La Carlota City – 40; Valladolid – 37; Cadiz City – 34; Escalante City – 31; Sagay City – 29; Hinobaan – 28; Pulupandan – 23; Isabela – 22; San Carlos City – 15; Moises Padilla – 13; Pontevedra – 9; La Castellana – 8; Silay City – 5; and Calatrava with 1.

There are no surrenderees yet from the towns of Candoni, Salvador Benedicto, Manapla, San Enrique and Toboso, police records showed.

Chief Inspector Mark Darroca, chief of the Provincial Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group in Negros Occidental, said that those on the list had undergone profiling.

“Their mugshots were taken and they were interviewed,” he said.

In Negros Oriental, Guihulngan City and Sibulan have the highest number of drug suspects who surrendered with 576 each, followed by Tanjay City with 376.

Other surrenderees came from San Jose – 237; Amlan – 203; Bais City – 171; Dauin – 154; Bayawan City – 140; Tayasan – 96; Vallehermoso – 75; Sta. Catalina – 73; Jimalalud and Mabinay with 70 each; Siaton – 66; Zamboanguita and Ayungon with 64 each; Basay – 58;  La Libertad – 57; Dumaguete City – 56; Bindoy – 39; Manjuyod – 26; Valencia – 23; Canlaon City – 22; Pamplona – 20; and Bacong with 12.

Rehab centers eyed in Negros Occidental districts

Provincial Planning and Development Officer Maria Lina Sanogal said that the establishment of rehabilitation centers is being eyed in every district of Negros Occidental. (READ: Bill seeks to build drug rehab centers for the poor)

Under the inter-local alliance proposal, every local government unit (LGUs) will contribute funds for putting up the facility in all 6 districts, she said.

She said that it is expensive for one locality to shoulder the expenses: “LGUs could pool their funds together for this government program.” 

If putting up the facility in all 6 districts is not viable, then it would be reduced to 3. They will be set up at the northern, southern, and central parts of the province.

For now, Negros Occidental has only one rehabilitation center, which is in Victorias City, and it is supported by the provincial government, she said.

The proposal is seen to address the massive number of drug suspects who surrendered to the authorities in the province after President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office on June 30. – Rappler.com