Cebu City tightens security in Pasil port

CEBU, Philippines -  The Cebu City government has strengthened the security of the Pasil Fish Port after reports that there are fish dealers from other regions transporting illegal drugs.

This was divulged by City Councilor David Tumulak, deputy mayor for police matters, who tapped representatives of Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, National Bureau of Investigation, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Philippine Coast Guard, and Cebu City Police Office to implement security measures.

“We have been receiving reports man gud nga naa'y mga fish dealers nga magdala og either binuthan nga isda or ilang boxes of fish kay sagulan og ilegal nga drogas,” he told reporters.

Tumulak said the group has intercepted a shipment from a town in Basilan at Pasil Fish Port last Thursday but found no presence of illegal drugs in the shipment.

The owner of the shipment was Sharif Fauzi Julabi who went to the office of Tumulak yesterday to clear his name from allegations.

Julabi, in an interview, said he believed that there are people who are making serious allegations against his family because of their boosting business.

“Isda ra gyod among dala. Gidudahan mi nga nagdala og shabu. Naa man tay kompetensya unya dautan ka maong ni anhi gyod mi para malimpyo among ngalan,” he told The FREEMAN.

Julabi said his family is also not involved in trading blasted fish.

He was accompanied by Pasil Barangay Captain Julius Guioguio who attested that Julabi’s family has a good record in fish trading in the city.

Julabi has been trading fish from Basilan to Cebu City for over a year now.

Tumulak, in a separate interview, said the incident should serve as a warning against fish dealers that the city will crack down on those who are involved in the illegal drug trade.

“Tanang reports ato gyod aksyonan. Dili ta mokompyansa,” he said.

To recall, President Rodrigo Duterte declared that Cebu City has already become a hotspot for the trading of illegal drugs in the country.

This is why the city and other agencies should continue implementing strict measures in the Pasil Fish Port to avoid the entry of illegal drugs, said Tumulak.

As of now, he said there are no fish traders who have been caught carrying illegal drugs. (FREEMAN)