THE NUMBER of drug dependents who surrendered continues to balloon with more and more of them requiring professional intervention. Government agencies like the Department of Social Welfare and Development and the Department of Health are working on rehabilitation but where exactly to put these drug victims is a pressing concern.
One of those who offered to open their facility as a rehabilitation center is the Philippine Army, allowing their camps to house those needing care.
Col. Benjamin L. Hao, Army spokesperson said that this is going to be an additional responsibility for military officers but it is their way of showing their support to the anti-illegal drug campaign of the Duterte administration.
Hao said it is still within their mission of “Serving the people and securing the land”
“We make our camps available because we have a huge space. However, we would like to work on the design and plans of the rehabilitation center because this is within the camp and this requires security,” Hao said.
He said building a rehabilitation center would not be a problem except that “maybe those who want to be rehabilitated might be intimidated inside the camp.”
“The only challenge is if there is a military activity that involves stricter measures in the camp. That’s the only adjustment that we have to prepare,” he said.
He admits that they are not experts on this and therefore would need the support of partners such as medical professionals and the civil society, Hao said that this is a special project that is worthy of support and they are willing to go the extra mile to help the campaign of the President in the next six years.
Security inside camp
“Mag iingat talaga yung mga pumapasok sa loob kung gagawa nang kalokohan. Mahuhuli sila nang sundalo,’ Hao said. (Those who are in the rehab centers should be careful and not to anything crazy or they will be arrested by the soldiers.)
The center should also exert effort to ensure that security in the camp will work to their advantage.
“The security outside the perimeter of the center and everything inside the camp is the responsibility of the camp commander,” Hao said.
“They have to follow because once they are inside the camp they have to follow the rules. If they go out of the camp, it’s going to be the facilitator’s responsibility,” he added.
Eight offered army camps
The military has offered eight out of 13 camps that may be used for rehabilitation centers. These are Camp Melchor F. Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela which has an area of 484.2178 hectares ; Camp Capinpin in Tanay , Rizal (60.1970 hectares ); Camp Alfredo Santos in Calauag ,Quezon (40 hectares) ; Camp Kibaritan in Kalilangan in Bukidnon (42.265 hectares ) ; Camp Lucero in Carmen ,North Cotabato (181.6522 hectares )and Camp Paulino Santos in Alamada ,North Cotabato (171.0937 hectares ).
The two army camps in Fort Magsaysay in Palayan City, Nueva City (45.837 hectares) ; and Camp Peralta in Jamindan ,Capiz (33.020 hectares) are also open for the rehab center.
First Military rehab center
Col. Cristobal Zaragosa, the commander of 401st Infantry Brigade, said that there rehabilitation center inside the camp is already in operation with 18 drug patients confined.
Zaragosa said their camp in Agusan Del Sur has become the pioneering military host of a drug rehabilitation center supporting the anti-illegal drug campaign of Pres. Rodrigo Duterte.
They opened the Residential Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (RTRC), a two-hectare facility inside its camp in partnership with the provincial government of Agusan Del Sur.
“Malaki yung camp located 330 hectares hinterland and the rehab center is only two hectares. There is a perimeter fence and it is isolated and about 300 meters down from the headquarters of the military,” he said.
He said patients inside are those who have voluntary surrendered to the local officials. “Then they are assessed by the province (medical officer). They will determine if the drug dependent requires rehabilitation. If the drug dependent is a minor, a parent’s consent is required, Zaragosa said.
The center is a collaboration with the local government and they want this to be the showcase so that other rehab centers in military camps will have a benchmark when they start building their own facility.
He even said they have also provided their vacant building for the structure.
The RTRC can accommodate 60 patients at a time. It is managed and administered by the provincial government of Agusan Del Sur.
Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Salvador Panelo represented Pres. Duterte in the inauguration at Camp Datu Lipus Makapandong in Barangay Awa, Prosperidad, and the capital town of the province last September 26. (photos courtesy by 401st Infantry Brigade)
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