MANILA: The Philippines may need more rehabilitation centers as more drug dependents and dealers, fearing for their lives, surrender to authorities each day.
Less than a week after the Philippine National Police (PNP) launched “Oplan Katok at Pakiusap” or “Oplan Tokhang” to convince drug users and dealers to end their involvement in illegal drugs trade, thousands have surrendered.
Those who turn themselves in are assured of amnesty. They will be also given rehabilitation and counseling as well as livelihood training.
Quezon City Police District’s former Deputy Director for Operations Senior Supt. Joselito Esquivel has reported that drug users have been surrendering by the dozens to police stations every day, the Manila Bulletin reported.
“Talagang dumagdagsa yung nagsu-surrender sa station levels,” he was quoted in the report.
Esquivel said all the 352 and 738 who surrendered last June 22 and 24, respectively, have vowed to stop using or selling illegal drugs, submitting their profile for record, drug testing, and monitoring.
But while this is encouraging, authorities are now faced with the dilemma of providing them rehab.
Quezon City Vice Mayor Joy Belmonte said those who earlier surrendered were sent home after they were documented because intervention programs, including rehabilitation, had not been considered in the implementation of Oplan Tokhang, Manila Bulletin reported.
Oplan Tokhang, she said, is a program of the QCPD that has not been coordinated with the local government.
“Surprisingly, hindi nila kami nasabihan ahead na may ganitong klase na operation. So we were not able to really prepare for it,” Belmonte was quoted in the report.
But Esquivel denied there was no proper coordination between agencies. He said there were just too many drug dependents seeking help.
