SAN MATEO, Isabela -- At least 571 "Tokhang" surrenderers finished the 90-day community-based rehabilitation program of the Department of Interior and Local Government in two towns of this province.
The rehabilitation program, dubbed Life after Tokhang or LIFT, had 471 participants in San Mateo who finished the program on Tuesday and at least 100 in Naguilian town who completed the program on Monday.
Police Chief Supt. Jose Mario Espino, Cagayan Valley regional police director, said the LIFT program was initiated by the police as a “community-based recovery and wellness program which seeks to assist and facilitate recovery from drug abuse and dependence.”
The program has engaged responders of the PNP’s "Oplan Tokhang", a police operation wherein cops knock on the doors of suspected drug personalities and personally urge them to leave their drug-related acts.
“This would serve as the initial step for former drug addicts to make change on their lives and be contributory in positive development in the country,” Chief Inspector Richard Gatan, San Mateo police chief, said.
Officials of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, PNP-Isabela, barangay leaders, religious sector representatives and civilians also graced the event.
In Naguilian town, at least 100 Tokhang responders also finished their rehabilitation regimen in a program at the town gymnasium in Barangay Quezon.
Chief Inspector Francisco Dayag, Naguilian police chief, said the graduates promised not to go back to their illegal drug use.
Naguilian Mayor Juan Capuchino, Vice Mayor Bernardo Dela Peña, Municipal Health Officer Maricar Capuchino, and Pastor Arnel Marcaida of the Seventh Day Adventist also graced the event.
Dayag said the graduation of the Tokhang responders would eventually help the town attain a drug-free status. (PNA)
