The Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO), in partnership with the Provincial Government of Bohol, holds a Forum on Illegal Drugs attended by Philippine National Police personnel, public information officers, and media at the Ceremonial Hall of the Provincial Capitol. (Elvira C. Bongosia)
TAGBILARAN CITY – The Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) reported that 735 barangays in the province or 66.28 percent have been officially declared drug-cleared as of February 2025.
Aside from this, 100 percent of the barangays in 12 municipalities here have also achieved drug-free status, namely: Albuquerque, Alicia, Balilihan, Candijay, Catigbian, Garcia Hernandez, Loboc, Lila, Maribojoc, San Isidro, Trinidad, and Sikatuna.
BPPO attributes the decreasing number of drug-affected barangays to the police’s anti-illegal drugs measures with 2,808 operations conducted and 3,100 individual/suspects arrested from 2020 until January 2025.
In the same period, authorities also confiscated 65.877.844 grams of illegal drugs, with an estimated value of P447,972,215.60.
Speaking during the illegal drugs forum on April 2 at the Ceremonial Hall of the Provincial Capitol, BPPO public information officer and provincial community affairs development unit chief, Police Lt. Col. Norman Nuez, said their anti-drug campaign has undergone multiple phases over the years.
There was Oplan Double Barrel, Double Barrel Alpha, Double Barrel: Reloaded, Double Barrel: Reloaded Re-launching, PNP Campaign Plan Double Barrel Finale Version 2022, and Anti-Illegal Drug Operations through Reinforcement and Education (ADORE).
“These initiatives span multiple years and have been instrumental in drug suppression across the province,” said Nuez.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) launched ADORE as the final phase of Oplan Double Barrel.
Recognizing the importance of rehabilitation, the BPPO has also implemented a community-based rehabilitation program, which provides drug surrenderees with resources and support for reintegration into society.
‘No recycling of illegal drugs’
During the forum, Nuzen also assured that there is no recycling of illegal drugs in the province.
“Makapasalig gyud me nga walay re-cycling sa ilegal nga droga diri sa Bohol,” he said.
(I can assure you that there is no re-cycling of illegal drugs here in Bohol.)
Key issues such as the modus operandi of drug syndicates, the supply and demand reduction strategy, and the process of illegal drug destruction were also discussed during the forum. (Elvira Bongosia / PIA7-Bohol)
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