Westmincom includes anti-drug campaign in outreach missions

From the Philippine News Agency (May 8): Westmincom includes anti-drug campaign in outreach missions

The Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Western Mindanao Command (Westmincom) has incorporated the national government's war against illegal drugs in the programs of the Civil-Military Operations (CMO) office.

“Once we go to the communities to conduct medical and dental outreach missions, we incorporate the advocacy against illegal drugs,” Lt. Col. Joel Mamon, Westmincom’s CMO chief, on Monday told the Philippines News Agency.

Mamon said they have tapped the assistance of community leaders, especially religious and youth leaders, to help them in their anti-drug advocacy.

He said the advocacy is focused on the ill-effects of using illegal drugs.

Aside from the communities, he said they also visited different schools, especially in far-flung areas, to dialogue with the teachers and students.

Capt. Jo-ann Petinglay, Westmincom information officer, on Monday said in a statement that Westmincom troops have conducted 11 anti-illegal drug operations since January in support to the efforts of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the police.

Petinglay said the anti-drug operations resulted to the death of eight drug personalities and the arrest of 168 others.

Mamon confirmed that there were soldiers under the Westmincom who were discharged from service due to illegal drug use. He did not say how many.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/articles/985906