INPPO awarded for war on drugs

By Blessing Angel Agliam

  • I.Norte’s 8 towns are drug-free–PDEA
  • PRO1 also attains the nationwide highest rate of 81% in RWP

CAMP JUAN, Laoag City, Jan. 13–For achieving an impressive anti-illegal drug campaign in the province, the Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office has received the 2018 National Anti-Drug Abuse Council Performance Award bestowed by the Department of Interior and Local Government.

The DILG awarded the INPPO headed by police provincial director Senior Supt. Cesar Pasiwen based on its sterling performance on the all-out war against illegal drugs in Ilocos Norte.

Records showed that in 2018, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency had declared Ilocos Norte “54% drug-free,” specifically in the municipalities of Marcos, Carasi, Dumalneg, Adams, Burgos, Currimao, Banna, and Vintar, and at least 279 barangays.

In the last quarter of 2018, the INPPO had conducted 75 drug-clearing operations which led to the arrest of 84 drug offenders and seizure of 345 grams of marijuana dried leaves and 154 grams of shabu.

According to P/Inspector Wilma Palting, police community relations (PCR) officer, the prestigious award cited the INPPO’s serious drive to eradicate illegal drug activities in its AOR (Area of Responsibility).

She noted that the number of drug-related cases had nosedived to a very low percentage which contributed to the improved peace and order condition in the province.

On the other hand, the Police Regional Office 1 (PRO1) headed by police regional director Chief Supt. Romulo Sapitula had also attained the nationwide highest rate of 81% for implementing the Recovery and Wellness Program (RWP) by conducting the most community-based RWP for drug surrenderees.

“All the INPPO’s programs and activities have the full support of the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte hoping for its continued support as well in the years to come”, said the lady PCRO Palting.

As of January 7, 2019, records showed that the INPPO had tallied a total of 6,437 drug surrenderees and 5,535 RWP graduates who underwent activities such as moral and spiritual recovery training, tree planting, clean-up drive, and lectures on the negative use of illegal drugs, among others. – (Blessing Angel Agliam/PGIN-CMO)