More drug users, peddlers surrender to Mandaue police

CEBU CITY—At least 160 self-confessed drug peddlers, runners and users surrendered to the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO) on Monday to signify their intent to stop their involvement in illegal drugs.

Of the number, 131 were presented during a program at City Sports and Cultural Complex at the reclamation area in Mandaue. About 30 more showed up at the MCPO after the presentation was over.

Supt. Jonathan Abella, MCPO deputy chief for operations, said these individuals first sent surrender feelers to their village chiefs.

“They started sending feelers to their barangay captains or councilors who also contacted the different station commanders,” he said.

But Abella said everyone was released since none had pending arrest warrants.

“But we will continue to monitor their activities to make sure that they already stopped their involvement in the illegal drugs trade,” he said.

At least 131 individuals from Mandaue City’s 28 barangays were presented in the City Sports and Cultural Complex about 8 a.m. on Monday.

During the program, the 131 raised their hands and made to recite a commitment to stop their illegal drugs practice.

The police first got their personal profile including their addresses and contact numbers.

They were asked to later sign an individual commitment before they were sent home before noon.

After the program, Abella said at least 30 others appeared at the MCPO compound located across the sports complex to also express their desire to cooperate with the police.

Mandaue City has six different police stations located in Barangays Centro, Opao, Canduman, Basak, Subangdaku and Casuntingan.

“Most of them said that they decided to cooperate because of fear of the warnings of President (Rodrigo) Duterte,” said Abella.