A noise barrage followed by a motorcade which started at Camp Fermin G. Lira (a.k.a. Barracks) in General Santos City and concluded in the Oval Plaza Covered Court of the same city, marked the launching of “Project DUTERTE” in Region XII.  Project DUTERTE is a nationwide campaign  initiated by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in support of the Duterte Administration’s campaign against illegal drugs and other forms of criminality.

Project DUTERTE which stands for Drug Use and Trafficking Elimination thru Rehabilitation, Training and Enforcement is supported by other stakeholders, namely; DILG, DepEd, CHED, NAPOLCOM, TESDA, DOH, DSWD, Cooperative Development Authority (CDA), Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), PDEA, BJMP, and other agencies and institutions in Region XII.

The Police Regional Office (PRO) XII, headed by Acting Regional Director Police Chief Supt. Cedrick G. Train, gave an overview of Project DUTERTE during the program that followed immediately after the motorcade.  The Regional Public Safety Battalion XII and various schools in General Santos City presented role plays to inform the audience on the recent events relative to illegal drugs, corruption, and other criminalities  which President Duterte has pledged to stop.

“We want to restore the faith of the people in government and uphold the National Motto of Makadiyos, Makatao, Makakalikasan at Makabansa,” was the main drive of PRO XII in launching the program and pledged to implement the Project DUTERTE under the rule of law.

In behalf of General Santos City Mayor Ronnel C. Rivera, Vice-Mayor Shirlyn L. Bañas-Nograles delivered a message, appreciating and pledging support to the said project. Representatives of PRO XII’s partner agencies also expressed their commitment of support to the project. On behalf of NEDA XII, Program Development, Investment Programing and Budget (PDIPBD) Division Chief, Juliet Bolando, pledged commitment to the program by signing the Pledge of Commitment Banner.

The activity ended with the announcement of the winners of the poster making contest which was won by a participant from General Santos City High School. (Judd Nichol Leonar, NEDA XII-DRD)