ILOILO CITY – The Philippine Army’s 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) is eyeing an area at its 33,000-hectare headquarters in Jamindan town, Capiz province as possible site for rehabilitation of drug addicts.
3ID spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Ray Tiongson said their sprawling Camp Peralta may be a good site.
This came about after President Rodrigo Duterte announced in his first State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) the plan to utilize military camps for rehabilitation of those who have surrendered in the massive anti-drug campaign.
Based on latest data of Police Regional Office (PRO-6), there were more than 12,532 drug users and drug pushers who surrendered across the region.
Department of Health (DOH-6) runs the Treatment and Rehabilitation Center (TRC) in Pototan town, Iloilo province.
Dr. Maria Lourdes Hembra, DOH-6’s TRC-Iloilo chief, said the building has a 50-bed capacity. But it is currently treating more than 80-drug dependents from Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental provinces.
Meantime the Western Mindanao Command (AFP-WesMincom) has recently expressed full support to the same initiative.
Maj. Filemon Tan Jr., spokesman of AFP-WesMincom said that the military here will fully support the plan as part of their contribution in the campaign against drug addicts.
Tan in a statement said “WesMinCom supports the command of the President to have parts of the military camps and facilities turned into rehabilitation centers.” (With a report from Nonoy E. Lacson) (TARA YAP)
