CEBU CITY, Cebu, Oct. 13 (PIA) -- The Police Regional Office Region 7 (PRO-7) led by its Regional Community Affairs and Development Division (RCAAD) has conducted an information drive and community support programs in several barangays and mountain areas as part of its ongoing effort to counter the threat of communist insurgency and illegal drugs in Central Visayas.

The activities were also part of the campaign of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) which is active in its fight against communist rebellion.

The police and armed forces along with some government agencies visited the geographically disadvantaged areas in Region 7 to raise awareness among residents about the danger brought by the communist group.

They also reminded the public that the government continues to perform its role in providing the programs and services for the benefit of the whole community.

The Philippine National Police is also executing various initiatives in fighting the “underground activities” being done by the communist groups that operate through the help of some legitimate groups and private organizations.

Meanwhile, the PRO-7 has also strengthened its anti-illegal drug campaign by holding symposiums, barangay drug clearing programs, wellness activities, and rehabilitation programs for the drug surrenderees.

The goal is to minimize the demand for illegal drugs as one of the ways to address the problem.

Recently, there were seven additional barangays in Cebu City that were declared as drug-free places, while 40% of the drug-affected barangays were already cleared from illegal drugs.

Police Major Rey Delos Santos, the Chief of Information Operation and Research Section of RCAAD, in his interview over the DYAB radio program “Kasayuran," shared that these efforts done by the PRO-7 imply that the government is serious in dealing with the major issues in the country specifically the problem of rebellion, terrorism, and illegal drugs.

"Kita sa PNP wala ta nagkinahanglang mag propaganda, ang atoa lang diri sa pagsulti kung unsay tinuod, unsaon pag counter sa ilang propaganda, atoang gisulti kung unsa man ang tinuod (With us at PNP, we don't need propaganda. Our aim is to tell the truth. To counter their propaganda, we stick to what is the truth)," said Delos Santos.

He highlighted as well that the authorities are now focused in implementing policies that will prevent any harm caused by terrorism especially that the election period is fast approaching.

Delos Santos also encouraged the public to monitor and report any suspicious individuals or activities. 

“Gina encourage natu ang katawhan nga mo report dayun if naa silay makita o mabantayan nga kadudahan (We encourage the people to report immediately if they see anything suspicious),” Delos Santos added.

PRO-7 will also validate reports on political aspirants who allegedly tapped the services of some terrorist groups to enforce harm and intimidation towards the people and who are planning to disrupt the election process.

The authorities reminded these candidates that if found guilty, they will face a serious offense which could possibly be a ground for disqualification.

With this agenda of the government to end the problem of local communist and illegal drugs, Delos Santos asked for the cooperation and participation of the public on this campaign.

“Dakong tabang og kinahanglan gyud ang partisipasyon sa komunidad. Atong gipangandoy nga puhon kay dili na kita diri sa gobyerno kay magsingi og pangampanya sa mga tawo, kanang ang mga tawo na ang moingon nga naay mga programa og gi atiman sila sa gobyerno (The cooperation of the community is a big help. We hope that time will come when it is not only the government that will campaign among the people but the people themselves will be the one to campaign for the government, that the government is taking car eof them)," he said. (RGC/PIA7)