Authorities keeping eye on party drugs
Authorities are on heightened alert against the possible proliferation of party drugs and human trafficking cases for the upcoming celebration of Valentine's Day next week.
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-7 Regional Director Jigger Montallana said they would require party and event organizers to have the presence of PDEA personnel and other law enforcement agencies during any event to prevent the spread of illegal party drugs when asking for permits.
Montallana said that they continue to deploy their K-9 units and under surveillance agents at parties and other events to monitor such drugs and ensure peace and security with their other partner security agencies.
He emphasized the effects of ecstasy when taken stressing it urges physical sensation among several party drugs.
"Some of the effects of this ecstasy is like a sensation of light and then on your skin. That is why it seems to be able to urge bodily contact. That is why when they are partying, they use strobe lights that are their (partygoers) favorites because of the stimuli the individual taking ecstasy would react to," said Montallana.
HUMAN TRAFFICKING
Lieutenant Colonel Janette Rafter, the deputy director for operations of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), said that their internal agency task force for anti-human trafficking had already coordinated with the hotels, motels, and similar establishment owners to monitor human trafficking cases.
As the celebration of Valentine's Day is fast approaching, it has been anticipated that cases related to human trafficking will also rise.
Rafter said they also have their antiindecency board assigned to implement the prohibition and regulation of pornographic materials in the city.
She added that the board recently has focused on issuing a stern warning to radio stations releasing sensual dramas, stressing that these could stimulate sexual crimes.
Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office-7 has called on its personnel to act accordingly and serve as a good example, particularly regarding reports of some policemen being caught redhanded checking in motels with their mistresses, specifically during these occasions.
"We appeal to the discretion of our police personnel to always be an example of a law enforcer," said PRO-7 spokesperson, Police
Lieutenant Colonel Gerald Perale.
He added that they also adjusted their police deployment for Valentine's celebration and reiterated that they would enforce the law regardless if it involves police and other high-end personalities.
DRUG ADVOCATES
On the other hand, the formal launching of Anti-Illegal Drug Advocates (AIDA) is set on February 19 at the Cebu City Sports Center (CCSC).
Individuals comprising AIDA are those former illegal drug users who have undergone spiritual, moral, and physical pieces of training to become allies of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in their fight against illegal drugs.
Perale said the program's focus is to implement an effective demand reduction of illegal drugs, particularly in Cebu.
"To win the war on drugs, first, we have to win the crowd and make all people support the anti-drug program," said Perale.
He said the advocates would be used by the police in symposiums and other events where they could share their testimonies to encourage other illegal drug individuals to stop their unlawful acts.
In Lapu-Lapu City, Police Colonel Elmer Lim, the city’s police director, said their advocates have already been prepared for the launching.
Lim shared that the drug advocates would be organized into a brigade composed of several battalions from the Lapu-Lapu City Police Office (LCPO), CCPO, Mandaue CPO, and the Cebu Provincial PO.
Perale said there would be around 600 drug advocates to be launched.
Lim said the brigade would consist of eight companies from Alpha to Hawk, where there would be no police involvement as possible.
"Mao gyud na atoang gi practice pud nga ang battalion commander down the platoon leader walay pulis ana puro gyud na sila mga drug advocates," said Lim.
Lim said they ensured that the battalion leaders picked already had experience participating in Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) to minimize their training time.
The formation of AIDA is part of the PRO7's Buhay Ingatan, Droga'y Ayawan (BIDA) program which aims to strengthen the police partnership with the community and broaden the network and source of information in the pursuit of drug personalities across Central Visayas.