CEBU CITY — The Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Office (CPADAO) has allocated PHP2.5 million for the campaign against illegal drugs in the province.
This, after the CPADAO welcomed the reactivation of the Philippine National Police (PNP) as the lead agency in the government’s battle against drugs.
CPADAO chief Ivy Durano-Meca said it’s better to have the PNP’s involvement in the anti-drugs operation as the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) had very limited manpower to effectively curb the illegal drugs trade in Cebu province.
Meca said although the PDEA had been successful in the apprehension of high value targets and some narco politicians, the agency really needs the police to reduce or completely eradicate the supply of drugs.
Meca said the PHP2.5 million had been earmarked as operations fund to help police authorities in their campaign next year.
The allocation of funds would depend on the project proposals of the different police stations and units of the Cebu Provincial Police Office, Meca said.
Meca said the number of drug surrenderers would surely increase next year with the re-implementation of Oplan Tokhang in the province.(With reports from Michelle Bugtai/PNA)