CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The rush of alleged illegal drug pushers and users surrendering to the police is peaking, as over 10, 897 of them “surrendered” to authorities yesterday in Pampanga, Bulacan and Olongapo City.
The biggest number was in Pampanga where an estimated 10,000 surrenderees showed up early yesterday morning to swear before police authorities, led by Central Luzon police director Chief Supt. Aaron Aquino, never to touch drugs again.
In his speech, Aquino urged other pushers and ushers to “surrender or die.”
Also yesterday in San Ildefonso, Bulacan, 600 more alleged pushers and users also surrendered to the police in the province.
San Ildefonso police chief Supt. Ganaban Ali said his office immediately profiled, counselled and lectured to the surrenderees as part of their rehabilitation process. He said the surrenderees were also required to report daily to the police, participate in community work, and engage in community physical fitness events.
Ali also appealed to residents of San Ildefonso to convince other drug pushers and users to give themselves up to the police or face arrest.
At the same time, a total of 297 alleged illegal drug users and pushers also showed up before the police in Olongapo City to also volunteer for rehabilitation.
“This is for your own good I don’t want to call you surrenderees but reformists,” Olongapo City police head Senior Supt. Jerry Sumbad said.
Sumbad said he had implemented an extensive drive for the surrender of users and pushers “so as to give them the chance to change and dispel illegal drugs in line with the police’s Oplan Double Barrel program.”
