Over 40 members of the Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) received P2.1 million in cash incentives for their successful anti-drug operations early this year.
Each police officer received P3,000 to P15,000 depending on the size of the operation and their involvement.
The turnover was held at the Capitol Dignitaries’ Lounge yesterday.
“This is a big help especially to the personnel on field. It’s not easy because there are risks,” said Senior Supt. Noel Gillamac, Cebu provincial police chief.
The CPPO conducted 11 successful operations in seven localities since January.
All were an offshoot of tips from the Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Commission (CPADAC).
The operations took place in the towns of San Remigio, Balamban and Consolacion and in the cities of Toledo, Naga, Danao and Carcar.
Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III said the distribution of incentives is a way to thank the police officers for their efforts by boosting their morale.
“We know it is not easy to conduct operations out there in the field. We commend you for your commitment and service,” Davide told the police officers in a speech.
He said police officers face many temptations and challenges like bribes from drug lords and peddlers, but they still persist in doing their job right.
The provincial government had set aside P1 million for the incentive program on anti-illegal drugs, but it was later increased to P2.124 million.
Supt. Rodolfo Albotra Jr., head of the Provincial Intelligence Branch (PIB), earlier said they confiscated between P25 million to P30 million worth of illegal drugs from January to May.
Their biggest haul so far was in a buy-bust operation in San Remigio last May, yielding two kilograms in shabu worth P23.6 million.
The operation led to the arrest of the wife of a detained suspected drug peddler and his brother.