DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental (PIA) — The Negros Oriental Provincial Police Office (NOPPO) underscored the vital role of the youth in crime prevention particularly in the anti-drug campaign to maintain peace in the province.
NOPPO planning and operations deputy officer PLt. Stephen Polinar, in a Kapihan sa PIA forum, introduced the Kabataan Kontra Droga at Terorismo (KKDAT) program that encourages the youth to create a movement to suppress illegal drugs and terrorism.
“We empower the youth kung unsa ang ilang ma provide to suppress illegal drugs sa ilang barangay (what they can do to suppress illegal drugs in their barangay). What are the things they need to do, unsa ang ilang pwedeng mabuhat to eliminate illegal drugs and inflict terrorism (what they can possibly do to eliminate illegal drugs and inflict terrorism),” said Polinar.
“We also teach them kung unsay need nga information, unsa ang ilang mabuhat kung naay suspeksadong tawo nga mu adto sa ilaha,” he added.
(We also teach the youth on what information they need, what they can do if a suspected person is in their area.)
The police officer noted that the fight against illegal drugs is not the sole responsibility of the government or law enforcement but it is everyone’s concern.
Youth representative Sean Neil Equio, president of the Society of Student Communicators of Negros Oriental State University (NORSU), said the young people can help prevent crime by cooperating with the government in advocating for peace.
“Ang ikatabang lang namo sa youth is participation lang, mu participate mi, mu partner mi sa mga programa and mu sabay lang mi sa kung unsa man ang ihatag sa mga city officials,” said Equio.
(The youth can help by participating or to partner with the government’s programs and follow whatever the city officials provided us.)
Equio also cited that social media sometimes is a bad influence for the youth, “apan ang usa sa pag prevent niini kay ikaw, yourself, kabalo ka mu pugong (but you can prevent this yourself, you know how to put a stop to it).”
He said that young people are particularly susceptible to peer pressure that can lead to criminal behaviour.
“It’s a step-by-step process and kung dili man gani ka part sa problema, ikaw ang mu-una sa mga solusyon,” added Equio.
(It’s a process, and if you’re not part of the problem, you have to be part of the solution.)
Pursuant to Proclamation no. 461 s. 1994, the first week of September is declared as National Crime Prevention Week.
This year’s observance banners the theme “Kabataan Tara Na, Sa Crime Prevention Kaisa Ka!”
In the same forum, National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) provincial officer Atty. Jose Alan Comon explained that this year’s observation aims to develop strategies that would help reduce crime incidence in the country. (JCT/PIA-7 Negros Oriental with reports from Jonah Nicolas and Princess Ayne Avellana, NORSU Interns)
