By
Dominic I. Sanchez
ZAMBOANGA
CITY – Sonny Boy Jalani has been in crusade against drugs for
more than ten years, together with his fellow Crime Watch Volunteers in the
city, but it is only recently that he felt the fight is winning the war under
President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.
“We
started our organization in November of 2006, we have been fighting illegal
drugs through advocacy for ten years now,” said Jalani, “and at times then, it
was a lonely fight.”
Jalani
shared that there was minimal to no support from other stakeholders including
the government before the Duterte administration. “But we took it as a
challenge since we cannot just sit down and do nothing knowing that something
is terribly wrong.”
Jalani
is very thankful to President Duterte, whose firm stance against illegal drugs
has made waves and “magnified” the volunteers’ efforts.
“It
has been an eye-opener, we did not realize the magnitude of those who are
affected by drugs,” Jalani said. “Duterte’s leadership has magnified our
efforts.”
According
to Jalani, Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADACs) although having been
organized, urgently needs “revitalization.” “If the members of these councils
do not know their powers, function, duties and responsibilities, then it is a
problem.”
Crime
Watch Volunteers visit and assist barangays in addressing crimes, especially
the illegal drugs problem.
“We cannot just sit
in a corner and do nothing,” Jalani appealed. “This is not the sole fight of
President Duterte and law enforcement agencies. This fight needs all of us. After
all, our children and our families are at risk.”
