DUTERTE TO ASSIST DRUG SURRENDEREES

CLOSE to 100 self-confessed drug pushers and users who surrendered to
police authorities following the intensified drive against illegal drug
activities will get assistance from Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte.

During the mass oath taking of 96 drug pushers and users surrenderees at
Almendras Gym, Duterte said he would provide financial assistance for their
rehabilitation if they support the government's anti-drug campaign.

"Katong gusto magpa-rehab, mo-antos gyud mo. Gastuhan ta mo sa tanan ninyo
nga panginahanglan," Duterte said.

Duterte said he would give a monthly salary to suspected drug pushers and
users who would undergo rehabilitation.

At least 41 surrendered before the Sasa police station, six of them
self-confessed drug dependents. At the Talomo police station, 41 confessed
to have been involved with illegal drugs, including 13 women while 14
voluntarily presented themselves to the Sta. Ana police and another 15 from
the San Pedro police.

Duterte, during his message to all surrenderees Tuesday, said he is not
quite convinced that all those who surrendered would stop their illegal
activities.

"Naga-tuo ko nga 90% sa mga mosulod sa illegal drugs dili na gyud kagawas
(I believe that 90 percent of those who get into illegal drugs can no
longer get out)," Duterte said.

The city would be providing a rehabilitation center to all illegal drug
surrenderees who are poor and cannot afford the cost of rehabilitation.

The city needs P3 million to provide a rehabilitation center and Duterte
promised to provide the amount to jump-start the program.

Duterte said there are also people working with the government, especially
police personnel, involved with the illegal drug trade, a reason why the
problem is difficult to solve.

"Gusto kung patayin ang mga p... yan (municipal mayor, policemen) kaya lang
wala dito. Yan ang gusto kung timing-ngan (I want to kill him but he's not
here. He's one person I want to cross paths with)," Duterte said.

Police revealed that the city's drug supply comes from Cotabato, Lanao and
Zamboanga cities.

Aside from medical and psychological assistance to be given by the local
government to all surrenderees, Duterte said that he would provide
financial assistance to start a new business for their families.

At least 96 surrenderees have signed their oath of undertaking and would be
reporting to the Police Community Relation (PCR) Office at Camp Capt.
Domingo Leonor, Davao City and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 11 (PDEA).

"They would be reporting to the PCR and PDEA everyday for documentation and
getting of urine sample," said Sr. Supt. Condrado Laza, Davao City Police
Office director.

One of the surrenderees, Buena Repollo, 46, of Km. 12, St. John, Sasa Davao
City said she is grateful of the program since this would give them a
chance to renew their lives.

"Nalipay ko sa programa sa mayor kay mamahimo na ko nga magbag-o. Pero
murag ulahi na kay daghan na ang nangamatay (I'm happy about the mayor's
program because now I can be rehabilitated. But, it's a bit too late since
many have already died)," she said.

Repollo was the mother of Alvin Igno, 27, who was killed by
motorcycle-riding gunmen on May 16.