At least 250 suspected drug pushers and dependents in Muntinlupa City surrendered to the police, the city public information office said on Tuesday.
This developed after the city’s Anti-Illegal Drugs-Special Operations Task Group conducted the “Oplan Double Barrel,” in support of the National Police’s nationwide campaign dubbed as Barangay Drug Clearing Strategy and neutralization of illegal drug personalities.
Muntinlupa City chief information officer said the authorities also began house-to-house visitations and interviews of personalities who opt to surrender. She added the group visited 264 households of suspected illegal drug personalities and continued to double check individuals listed on the police intelligence report.
The local task force holds a list of suspected individuals who might be involved in the use and trade of illegal drugs in Muntinlupa.
Mayor Jaime Fresnedi earlier ordered the Muntinlupa Police to augment drug clearing strategies in the communities and encouraged locals to report cases of illegal drugs in their area.
In Makati City, 26 individuals believed to be involved in drug dealing also surrendered to the police.
The government’s continuing crackdown on suspected drug traffickers also resulted in the arrest of more than 500 individuals in the National Capital Region from January to May this year.
Newly designated Metro Manila Police director Oscar David Albayalde, in his speech during the turnover ceremony last Monday, promised to intensify the campaign against criminality and illegal drugs.
Albayalde said his leadership will focus on three major thrusts—Practical Programs for crime prevention and suspension, an intensified campaign against criminality and illegal drugs, and sustained cleansing of ranks.
He said he will be implementing “Oplan Double Barrel” to hit both high-value target personalities and street-level drug operators.
Albayalde also ordered all district directors—Manila Police District, Southern Police District, Eastern Police District, Northern Police District and Central Police District—to intensify police street patrol operations to prevent robbery, snatching, theft and numerous modus operandi.