Westmincom offers camps for drug users

ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) has offered its camps and facilities as rehabilitation centers for drug users.

“Western Mindanao Command supports all prospective resolutions of the commander- in-chief... to resolve drug addiction by calling for the rehabilitation of those who have surrendered,” Maj. Filemon Tan Jr., Westmincom spokesman, said on Wednesday.

“Westmincom welcomes his initiatives and hopes to contribute to the President’s advocacy by assisting law enforcement agencies in implementing rehabilitation programs and aiding in the reformation of drug personalities through the inculcation of discipline and values,” Tan said.

Westmincom chief Lt. Gen. Mayoralgo de la Cruz has ordered an inventory of available camps.

Westmincom is the largest military facility outside Metro Manila. It has jurisdiction over the Naval Forces Western Mindanao and 3rd Air Division based in this city, the First Army Division at Camp Pulacan in Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur and 6th Army Division based in Awang, Maguindanao.

More than 20,000 suspected drug pushers and users have surrendered in Western Mindanao.

The Department of Health is looking at implementing a probation system for drug users, noting that there are only 12 rehabilitation centers across the country.

Under the program, drug users will not be jailed but will have to report their activities regularly.