Drug suspects surrender hours after Duterte oathtaking

Lapu-Lapu City mayor Paz Radaza talks in front of 75 drug suspects who surrendered to Lapu-Lapu City police on Thursday afternoon. (CDN PHOTO/NORMAN MENDOZA)

NEARLY a hundred suspected drug users and dealers from the cities of Lapu-Lapu and Mandaue went to various police precincts to surrender.

Lapu-Lapu city recorded 75 persons linked to illegal drug activities who surrendered to the Lapu-Lapu City police headquarters Thursday afternoon.

Senior Supt. Arnel Libed who earlier received information from his precinct chiefs about the mass surrender held a program at the third floor of the Lapu-Lapu City Tourism Building and invited former drug addicts to share their testimony.

Rev. Dr. Robert Pepito of the Fountain of Life Ministry, a regular speaker at the House of Hope Drug Rehabilitation Center also exhorted the suspects to change for the better.

Mayor Paz Radaza said she hopes that those who surrendered will now support their campaign against illegal drugs. She said they will hold livelihood programs to help them.

Libed credits the mass surrender to their “Operation Tokhang” or “Toktok, Hangyo” (knock and ask to quit) program.

In Mandaue City, nine persons turned themselves over to various police precincts.
Senior Supt. Jonathan Cabal, Mandaue City police chief, said they will be gathered at the Mandaue City Sports Complex for profiling.

The suspects admitted being scared by the intensified operations against illegal drugs which had claimed the lives of suspected drug dealers.