Tobias admits anti-drugs drive an uphill battle
Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) director Sr. Supt. Bartolome Tobias admitted the campaign against illegal drugs is an uphill battle as he expressed doubts on the sincerity of some members of the police organization.
Tobias made his observation in last Tuesday's City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) meeting held at the City Mayor's Office. He said trust is a precious commodity when it comes to the campaign against the use and proliferation of illegal drugs.
Prior to his assumption as OIC director of ICPO, Tobias served as chief of the directorate for investigation and intelligence of the Police Regional Office 6.
Before he assumed as ICPO chief, there were already informations linking cops on the illegal drug trade but no concrete action was taken against them except their reassignment to other areas in Western Visayas.
Reportedly, there are cops who serve as protectors of a certain drug syndicate while others allegedly are directly involved in the sale and distribution of illegal drugs but none was charged accordingly.
Nevertheless, the city director said the PNP is very serious in its drive against illegal drugs. "Illicit drugs trade and abuse is a situation that should be seriously dealt with considering the existence of active drug gangs in the city," said Tobias.
He also cited that the city police is fully supportive of the anti-illegal drug operations headed by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). Under the law, the PDEA is mandated to initiate and enforce the campaign against illegal drugs with the support of the Philippine National Police.