Community-based rehabilitation

FIGHT AGAINST ILLEGAL DRUGS --- Barangay chairmen and officials of the city’s 37 barangays have sworn to defend their communities against proliferation of illegal drugs during a gathering last August 24 at D&M Catering. At inset is Mother Barangay Rosary Heights Chairwoman Janeth Dalagan as she signs the pledge of commitment in the fight against illegal drugs within her community. (GILMHAR A. LAO - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

COTABATO CITY --- This city government remains committed to the concerns of illegal drug surrenderees with the conduct of one-day orientation on “Basic Guidance for Community-Based Treatment and Care for People with Stimulant Use Disorder” as it implements community-based rehabilitation program last August 24 held at D&M’s catering.

Participated by the city’s 37 barangay chairmen and officials, the activity was spearheaded by the Office on Health Services (OHS).

Joannah Ruffa B. Mangelen, focal person of the Anti-Drug Abuse program of the OHS, imparted to the participants the benefits of the community-based rehabilitation program for illegal drug surrenderees.

“The community-based rehabilitation program is an effort to address all forms of addiction by administering interventions or treatments of every affected community in the city to their respective surrenderees,” Mangelen said.

She added surrenderees may undergo counselling, community service or interventions which aim to prevent them from retaking drugs or avoid relapses, and simply to keep them busy.

“There will be active patient involvement, community support, and promotion of paradigm change with society to acknowledge drug dependence as a multi-factorial disorder. It is also less invasive and the treatment and rehabilitation are accessible and affordable,” Mangelen said.

Mangelen said they assess the illegal drug surrenderees into low, moderate, and high risk on illegal drug dependency.

“During the assessment, illness and symptoms will be checked if it has already affected their mental state. When they don’t have any manifestation of mental disorder, they can be referred to the community rehabilitation in the barangay. But for severe cases and those who have mental manifestation, they will be endorsed to a facility,” Mangelen said.

Mangelen stressed there are three major components of community-based treatment.

“First is the community that helps in the identification of drug users, conduct basic interventions, and refer patients to primary health services when required. Second would be the health services which will be provided by the health centers and hospitals. Lastly, the social welfare agencies where they offer education, vocational and skills training, and income generation opportunities, among others,” Mangelen added.

Accordingly, the project will run until such time that there will be no more surrenderees in the city.

Further, Mangelen said the program also gives the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and other law enforcement agencies the following roles: consider options other than arrest, direct referral to residential centers for drug users, and assist drug users in receiving help in the community.

“Still, their primary role is to enforce the law,” she said.

As of July 2017, the city has recorded a total of 2,247 illegal drug surrenderees where they get involved into various physical activities under the supervision of the barangay.

Senior Superintendent Victor Valencia, city police director, said that they are exerting much effort to protect the city away from illegal drugs.

“However, this is not a sole responsibility of our local authorities; it is the responsibility of everybody. Let us help our policemen and barangay officials in this fight. I urge each and every Cotabateño to remain vigilant and be cooperative with our law enforcers at all times,” said Valencia.

In a previous meeting, Mayor Atty. Frances Cynthia J. Guiani-Sayadi, together with the 37 barangay chairmen, agreed to maximize their campaign against illegal drugs.

The city government even ended up with a consensus to draft maps of all barangays to fast track pursuit of those who are involved in illegal drug activities.

“I am truly confident that the barangay captains will do their best. Let me tell you that the law-enforcement activities of barangay tanods in our 37 barangays are closely coordinated with our police and military men,” Guiani-Sayadi said.

Guiani-Sayadi, who chairs the City Peace and Order Council, also called on the attention of the barangay officials to ensure visibility of barangay tanods in strategic locations to prevent the movement of illegal drug activities.

She also reminded the barangay chairmen to also expand their intelligence operations.

PDEA-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao officer Marlon Santos, who was also present during the activity, said: “I am very much pleased with the efforts of the city government and barangay officials in the campaign against illegal drugs.”(GILMHAR A. LAO - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

SSB holds Barangay Drug Clearing lecture

EFFORT --- The municipal government of Sultan Sa Barongis conducted last August 23 a lecture and consultation on “Barangay Drug Clearing” to the town’s 12 barangay chairmen with the intent to declare several areas as “drug-cleared barangays.” At inset are Mayor Ramdatu Angas and OIC Chief of Police SPO4 Renante Quinalayo during interview of Mindanao Expose’ after the activity. (ANNE ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

SULTAN SA BARONGIS (SSB), Maguindanao --- This local government is determined to be out of drugs as it holds last August 23 a Barangay Drug Clearing Lecture and Consultation to further enlighten the community on the procedures of Barangay Drug-Clearing Operation.

The one-day activity was participated by the 12 barangay chairmen of the town.

Mayor Ramdatu Angas said that ever since they continue to encourage communities to take a pro-active stance in the government’s fight against proliferation of illegal drugs.

 “We are doing this to protect the welfare of the people in our 12 barangays: Angkayamat, Barurao, Bulod, Darampua, Gadungan, Kulambog, Langgapanan, Masulot, Papakan, Tugal, Tukanakuden, and Paldong,” he said.

Mayor Angas said they have five barangays subject for drug-clearing.

Junee Angas, President of the Liga ng mga Barangay, encouraged her fellow chairmen to strengthen their measures in order to prevent the spread of illegal drug activities.

“Let us be united in making a stand to fight illegal drugs,” she said.

Jabbar M. Musa, Municipal Local Government Operations officer, said the conduct of Barangay Drug-Clearing Operations of drug-affected barangays shall be conducted in three phases, namely: Pre-Operation Phase – The activities to be undertaken under this stage shall commence with the laying the groundwork and bases for effective and sustainable clearing operations against drug-affected barangays; Operation Phase – The objective of the operation phase is the actual implementation of drug supply and demand reduction strategies in priority drug-affected barangays; and lastly the Post–Operation Phase  -- This phase aims to maintain the “Drug Cleared” status of the barangays after drug-clearing operations through support activities to be funded from the general fund of the barangay.

“Classification of barangays are observed in determining the priority areas for clearing operations. First, the Drug-Unaffected Barangay where it has not ever been plagued or beset by any illegal drug activities. Second is the Drug-Affected Barangay where there is existence of drug user, pusher, manufacturer, marijuana cultivator, or other drug personality, regardless of number. Lastly, the Drug-Cleared Barangay where it is subjected to drug-clearing operations and declared free from any illegal drug activities,” Musa said.

Further, it was learned that the parameters for declaring “Drug-Cleared” status of drug-affected barangays are as follows: non-availability of drug supply; absence of drug transit/trans-shipment activity; absence of clandestine drug laboratory; absence of clandestine drug warehouse; absence of clandestine chemical warehouse; absence of marijuana cultivation site; absence of drug den, dive or resort; absence of drug pusher; absence of drug user/dependent; absence of protector/ coddler and financier; active involvement of barangay officials in anti-drug activities; active involvement of the Sanggunaing Kabataan to help maintain the drug-liberated status of the barangay; existence of drug awareness, preventive education and information, and other related programs; and existence of voluntary and compulsory drug treatment and rehabilitation processing desk.

Meanwhile, agent Marlon Santos of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao said that in order for a drug-affected barangay to be certified “Drug-Cleared,” after conducting the drug-clearing operations, the chief of the local police unit shall issue a certification declaring the “Drug-Cleared” status of the affected barangay that has been subjected to drug-clearing operations. The certificate shall be attested by the Chairman of the CADAC/MADAC. (GILMHAR A. LAO & ANNE B. ACOSTA - MINDANAO EXPOSE’)

Two NPA captured in Sultan Kudarat

CAMP SIONGCO, Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao- Troops of 33IB while conducting combat operation encountered undetermined number of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People's Army-National Democratic Front (CNN) on 20 August 2017 in Sultan Kudarat Province.

Operating troops of the 33IB were engaged in a gun battle with NPA rebels in Brgy Laguilayan, Isulan, Sultan Kudarat following reports from populace of the presence of an armed group in the area.

Said exchange of gunfire resulted to the capture of Bago Otig Bantali, Ben Apa both members of GF-73 of CPP-NPA-NDF and recovery of 1 M16 rifle, 1 IED, 1 hand fragmentation grenade and assorted ammunitions.

Joint Task Force Central delivered accurate artillery fire support to the location of the enemy that prompted the rebels to scamper to different directions.

MGen Arnel Dela Vega has commended the troops for the successful mission.

"I am glad that our government security forces had pre-empted terroristic attacks of different armed lawless groups against peaceful communities. We appreciate the continuous support of the people in sharing information about possible acts of violence," said Dela Vega. (DPAO, 6ID)