Three new government drug rehab facilities open in R12

by Oliver Ross Rivera, PIA XII

Koronadal City, South Cotabato – Three new government-operated drug rehabilitation centers are now open in SOCCSKSARGEN to provide immediate intervention in line with the continuing anti-illegal drug campaign.

Katryn Gaye Abad, information officer of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Region 12 said CommunityBased Drug Rehabilitation Facilities (CBDRF) were inaugurated in Malungon, Sarangani; Surallah and Polomolok in South Cotabato on June 21, 23 and 28, 2022, respectively.

“PWUDs (Person Who Used Drugs) may now to avail of the services in the facility nearest them,” Abad said. Each facility can cater up to 100 PWUDs.

Also, Abad cited that the construction of another CBDRF in Maasim, Sarangani is underway and is expected to be functional in the next months. According to Abad, initial preparations for the project started in June 2021 and was spearheaded by the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB).

The municipal governments of Malungon, Maasim, Surallah and Polomolok received grants of Php 5 million each from DDB for the construction of the facilities.

“These grants from the DDB would greatly help the recipients in the implementation of their drug rehabilitation and reformation programs,” the official said. She said PDEA will continue to assist the LGUs in facilitating the adoption of mechanisms and sustainable programs that will help contain the illegal drug problems in their localities.

6.62% drop in crime incidents in 2nd quarter of CY 2022

by PNP-PRO XII Koronadal City, South Cotabato – Police Regional Office XII establishes a thriving crime prevention and solution campaign covering the period of the 2nd Quarter of CY 2022 as it recorded a 174 decrease or 6.62 percent drop in total crime incidents compared to the same period of the previous year.

The Peace and Order Indicator (POI), which reflects the peace and order situation of a community, recorded 1,417 incidents, which is 19.35% lower than the 1,757 incidents from the same period of the previous year.

Based on records, the 8 focus crimes recorded a decrease of 18 incidents or 5.84%. Theft remains to be the top most prevalent crime for the period, which was followed by rape, while the special complex crimes recorded a decrease of 1 incident or 33.33% from the previous year.

Non-index crimes, on the other hand, marked a decrease of 321 incidents or 22.20% reduction from the previous year.

The Public Safety Indicator (PSI), which comprises the totality of vehicular incidents and other quasioffenses punishable under the Revised Penal Code, however, recorded an increase of 166 incidents or 19.08%. The increase can be attributed to accidents involving vehicles traversing public roads.

On the cases filed for Anti-Illegal Drug Cases, there were 371 cases, wherein 366 of those cases were cleared representing a 98.65% Crime Clearance Efficiency and 333 cases were solved with 89.76% Crime Solution Efficiency.

Meanwhile, there was a total of 346 Anti-Illegal Gambling cases recorded, wherein 326 of these cases were cleared posting a 94.22% Crime Clearance Efficiency and 267 cases were solved posting a 77.17% Crime Solution Efficiency.

There were also 215 cases recorded for the arrest of wanted persons in the region.

The decrease in crime incidents can be attributed to effective crime prevention strategies and the commitment to public service of the PRO XII personnel, especially the Oplan IRON CLAD (Integrated Revitalized Operation of Neighborhood Integrated Watch Against Criminality Lawlessness and Disaster).