NPA in Surigao has illegal drugs list; will accept surrenderees but 'execute' recidivists

From InterAksyon (Jul 15): NPA in Surigao has illegal drugs list; will accept surrenderees but 'execute' recidivists

The Philippine National Police, the local governments, and the vigilantes are all conducting their own campaigns against illegal drugs. But so, too, are communist rebels, who like the PNP and LGUs said they were willing to accept the surrender of those willing to confess and mend their ways, but wold not hesitate to "execute" recidivists if they catch them with drugs in their possession.

The New People's Army (NPA) said it is doing its own investigation of several politicians and police officers for suspected involvement in the illegal drugs trade in Surigao del Sur.

Sandara Sidlakan, spokesperson of the NPA’s Guerilla Front 21, said: “We have several individuals on our watch list who are involved with illegal drugs; we are also investigating several politicians and about a dozen police officers in an area in relation to the illegal drug trade. The investigation covers the towns of Carrascal, Cantilan, Madrid, Carmen, Lanuza, Cortes and San Miguel here in Surigao del Sur.”

The NPA spokesperson said that actually, the rebel group has been conducting its own campaign against illegal drugs for years, but had recently intensified it, encouraged by the commitment of the new administration to eradicate the scourge.  

“We have our own eyes and ears in the community so we know who are those using and selling drugs. If they will present themselves and surrender, with the intent of stopping and [truly] change their lives, then we will not do anything to them. But if we catch them with the illegal drugs in their possession, we will not think twice and execute them,” said Sidlakan.

The NPA revealed their action after justifying the abduction of one Police Officer 1 Yu.

“We abducted Yu to investigate as well as to seek additional information that would lead to other bigger drug personalities. The family and friends of the police officer should not worry because we will let him go after we are satisfied with our ongoing investigation. So far he is secure and well taken cared of,” said Sidlakan.

Police Senior Inspector Charity Galvez, officer in charge of the public information office of the Police Regional Office 10 (PRO10), said the Philippine National Police (PNP) has addressed the issue properly.

“For us the proper way to address the issue on police officers using illegal drugs would be through random drug tests. The PNP here in Caraga Region has been conducting these tests to ensure that we will weed out those involved based on scientific data. So far we still don’t have the final results on the drug tests we conducted but rest assured we will release the result as soon as we get it,” said Galvez.

The Police Regional Director, Chief Superintendent Rolando Felix, earlier ordered a surprise drug test on about 300 commissioned and non-commissioned police personnel, said Galvez.

“Not one of them knew that a surprise drug test had been prepared, but this is not the first time, we’ve done similar tests in the past few weeks. So I think this is a clear sign of our efforts towards cleaning our ranks,” said Galvez.

In June 2016,  the regional director said three police officers were caught using drugs but had yet to reveal the outcome of the administrative case on the officers.  

As of press time, PRO10 has yet to reveal the exact number of those found to be using drugs and involved in the illegal drug trade.

http://interaksyon.com/article/130384/npa-in-surigao-has-illegal-drugs-list-will-accept-surrenderees-but-execute-recidivists