Town mayor backs DILG’s drive vs. drugs

Mandaue launches bridge program for people involved in drugs

MAYOR Elanito Peña of Minglanila, Cebu did not see any problem with the plan of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to file administrative charges against local officials who fail to support the campaign against illegal drugs.

Peña said he agreed with DILG Secretary Ismael Sueno on the need to call the attention of the mayors and other local officials who did not help in the anti-illegal drug campaign.

In an interview with Sun.Star Cebu, Peña said the Municipal Government of Minglanilla has been compliant with the DILG’s directive in waging war against illegal drugs.

As of yesterday, more than 800 drug users from his town presented themselves for profiling under the police’s Oplan Tokhang.

The mayor said he expects more people involved in illegal drugs to support the campaign.

The local police, he said, has also launched an intensified drive againt illegal drug traders.

Last July 16, Dominggo Empleo Jr., a suspected drug pusher and gun for hire, was killed in an alleged shootout with operatives of the Minglanilla Police Station in Barangay Tulay.

Peña yesterday also ap- pealed to the village leaders to heed the DILG’s announcement.

Of the 19 barangays in Minglanilla, he said there are two of leaders who are not cooperative with the program.

Skills training

As to the assistance that the municipal government could provide to the surrenderees, Peña said he plans to tap the assistance of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda) in providing free skills training.

The Mandaue City Government, meanwhile, announced it will be providing a “bridge program” for rehabilitation and education of drug personalities who presented themselves for profiling.

Mayor Luigi Quisumbing, though, said that there is no assurance that the beneficiaries could be given jobs by the City Government.

The rehabilitation will include counseling, while livelihood training and technical-vocational courses, which will be handled by Tesda, can be provided under the education aspect of the bridge program.

Quisumbing said that he needs the assistance of the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) to assess the surrenderees who would qualify for the program.

With the enough personnel already working in City Hall, Quisumbing said there is no assurance if these surrenderees can be given employment by the City Government.