By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan
MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday called for a more aggressive integration of anti-illegal drug initiatives within the country’s education system following the arrest of a school principal in a buy-bust operation in Surigao del Sur.
The male suspect, a 45-year-old District 1 School Supervisor (Principal III) in Tagbina, Surigao del Sur, was apprehended on March 20 in a joint anti-drug operation by the PNP and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Tagbina town.
During the operation, authorities confiscated two heat-sealed transparent plastic sachets containing suspected crystal meth or “shabu” worth PHP6,800 from the suspect, as well as the marked buy-bust money used in the transaction.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. emphasized that the involvement of an educator in the illegal drug trade strikes at the heart of the community’s trust.
“This is deeply concerning when an educator, who should be a role model, is involved in such activities. We have to work together to address this problem for the welfare of the students, and for the interest of our education,” he said in a statement.
He noted that while students are often the focus of drug awareness, the faculty and staff must not be overlooked.
“We need to look beyond the students and ensure our teachers and staff are also guided. Paigtingin natin ang (Let’s intensify the) intelligence sharing at awareness programs sa mga eskwelahan (in schools),” Nartatez said.
He added that the PNP would coordinate with the Department of Education to conduct more rigorous preventive education even for faculty members. (PNA)
