CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – More than 9,000 mothers have been mobilized to help in the anti-illegal drugs campaign of the provincial government as a last ditch effort to put an end into the unlawful trade of prohibited substance not only in Pampanga but also in other parts of the country.
“Mothers will serve as volunteers and form part of the anti-illegal drugs force in communities to support the government campaign and war on drugs,” said Governor Lilia Pineda in a statement.
Pineda said she strongly believe that mothers would be an effective “tool” in the anti-illegal drugs drive as they are the one who can closely monitor members of the family.
This may be duplicated by other provinces throughout the country, Pineda expressed optimism that the move would be of great help to the law enforcers and other government units tasks to go after illegal drugs abuse.
Dubbed as Convergence of Nanay (Mother) Volunteers as Community Drug Watch, members of the newly organized group would be assembled at the Clark Freeport Parade Ground Thursday (Dec 22) where they will take their oath before President Rodrigo Duterte.
At least two huge warehouses of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) and five meth laboratories including the so-called “Mega” shabu lab and an underground “kitchen-type” laboratory have been dismantled by government security forces in Pampanga and in Angeles City in previous police operations.
Since the start of “war on drugs”, more than 11,000 suspected drug traffickers and users have voluntarily surrendered to authorities to avoid the heat of the government operations against the menace of society, covered under the “Oplan Tokhang” and “Oplan Double Barrel.”
Over in Angeles City, a total of 468 persons allegedly involved in illegal drugs trade have been arrested since July up to the first week of December.
Senior Supt. Sidney Villaflor, director Angeles City Police Office, said 48 confirmed illegal drugs traffickers were killed during shootout in separate police operations. He said that 1,036 drug-related cases have been filed in court.
Villaflor said 49 firearms mostly handguns were recovered from the suspects and some P96 milliion worth of shabu seized.
Three clandestine shabu laboratories situated in posh subdivision in Angeles City and are being operated by Chinese nationals have been dismantled.
Villaflor said anti-narcotics operatives have been fanned out to different areas in the City to check the whereabouts of 768 persons who are included in the police watchlist of drug personalities.