Pubdate: Wed, 31 Aug 2016 Source: Manila Bulletin (The Philippines) Copyright: 2016 mb.com.ph Philippine News. All rights reserved Contact: http://www.mb.com.ph/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/906 Author: Mars W. Mosqueda Jr. CEBU COPS LAUNCH OPLAN POKEMON CEBU CITY - The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) has intensified its campaign against illegal drugs with the launching of Oplan Pokemon, the police version of the popular mobile phone game. Just like the popular mobile phone app game, where players go to places to catch Pokemon monsters, Oplan Pokemon calls for the local police to go to different areas to look for those involved in the illegal drugs trade. The CCPO marked its first operation under Oplan Pokemon with a convoy of patrol cars and funeral hearse. The convoy traversed Barangays Suba and Hipodromo while a choir of police officers sang anti-drug jingles, one of which was sung to the tune of Yoyoy Villame's popular novelty song, Philippine Geography. Police Superintendent Cheryl Boniao, of the Police Community Relations, explained that the activity serves as an avenue of cooperation between the police and the community as well as a call for drug suspects to change. She added that they tag along funeral cars as a warning to drug suspects that they would end up in the hearse if they continue with their illegal activities. The Liloan Municipal Government, on the other hand, has a different approach as it launched Operation Second Chance to help some 1,260 persons who have surrendered and promised to give up illegal drugs. Participants will receive livelihood training and possible job placements to help them recover from addiction and change their lives. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom