COP CHIEFS TO UNDERGO ORGANIZING TRAINING VS DRUGS

KORONADAL CITY - Lack of community-organizing skills among police chiefs is
hampering the drive against illegal drugs, the country's drug czar, Deputy
Director General for Operations Edgardo Aglipay said here over the weekend.

Aglipay said the organization would provide community-organizing trainings
to local police commanders to enhance the government's bid to eradicate the
drug menace in the country.

"We will train police commanders in community organizing as illegal drugs
rear its ugly head at the community level," he pointed out.

While he did not say when the training would be given to the police
commanders in the region, Aglipay stressed that community stakeholders are
a vital part in combating the drug menace.

"The funds for the training are already available," said Aglipay without
mentioning any figure.

He said that the community stakeholders could provide the needed
intelligence information on the presence of a drug syndicate or a peddler
in their village.

"The police alone could not win the fight against illegal drugs. We need
the all-out support of the communities if we want to emerge victorious in
this crusade," Aglipay conceded.

Recognizing the vital role of religious leaders and local government
executives, Aglipay also urged the police commanders to tap them in the
crusade.

Aglipay personally sought a meeting with Marbel Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez
at the bishop's palace in his short visit here to get the religious
leader's support in the drive against illegal drugs.

He told reporters the bishop was warm to the idea of the local Catholic
Church having a role in possibly obtaining a "drug free society."

Gutierrez, who has jurisdiction over the provinces of South Cotabato and
Sarangani and parts of Sultan Kudarat and the cities of Koronadal and
General Santos, was the ninth bishop in the country that Aglipay asked to
be a partner in the government's drive against illegal drugs.

To also encourage policemen to intensify their drive against illegal drugs,
Aglipay announced a reward system for antidrug-related accomplishments.

He said that for each case filed against a drug violator, a policeman could
receive P1,000. A requirement to get the incentive is a certified docket
number of the case.Policemen who could clear a barangay from illegal drugs
would be rewarded P5,000, but Aglipay said the pot would only be released
upon the certification of the city or municipal mayor.

A P10,000 reward also awaits policemen who could neutralize a local drug
syndicate, Aglipay said.