KAWIT, Cavite – This town’s police force will embark on a massive information campaign this month, focusing on the youth sector to broaden knowledge, awareness and observance of laws on illegal drugs, bullying, criminality and domestic violence.
Kawit police station officer-in-charge Chief Inspector Mark Jason Gatdula disclosed on Thursday that their massive info drive is in support of the Calabarzon-wide project initiative of Police Regional Office (PRO4A) Director Chief Supt. Ma O R. Aplasca on the Community Mobilization Program (CMP).
Gatdula said the Police Calabarzon’s CMP is an anti-crime strategy envisioned to help improve, and restore peace and order by establishing a strong and sustainable community defense system, which was launched in the province August last year.
He said that under the info drive, the youth participants undergo orientations and briefings on the country’s various laws like Republic Act 9165 or the “Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2000,” other laws with penal sanctions on crimes, violence against women and children, anti-bullying act, among other legislations.
The Kawit police chief said they are engaging the students and youths who are mostly taking their school vacation and summer break.
“We will remind them of the PNP’s relentless efforts in anti-criminality campaign and anti-illegal drugs,” Gatdula stressed.
He said that aside from the orientations, lectures and forum activities, the town police station in partnership with the Kawit municipal government through the support of Mayor Angelo Emilio G. Aguinaldo and various youth groups, would also organize sports activities, other community events and enlist the youths’ active participation.
“Through these (activities), we hope na mailayo sila sa paggawa ng krimen (to take them away from committing crime),” he said citing that around 15 youth offenders were already apprehended since Feb for various crimes.
The project which was initially launched April 3 had gathered some 200 youth leaders at the Kawit Municipal Hall.
Among the youth leader participants was Joshua Salud Malinay who expressed appreciation on the knowledge-sharing environment and remarked “everyone has a part in maintaining the general peace of one’s community.”
“Maraming salamat sa pagbibigay kaalaman sa mga makabagong Kabataan para sa Pagbabago (thank you for imparting knowledge to the new generation of youths for change),” Malinay said.
He also looks forward to cascading the info drive to reach out to more young people in his village and be given this opportunity to learn more on the PNP’s programs and projects against illegal drugs and criminality. (Gladys Pino/PNA)
