4 Maguindanao towns now 'drug free'

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines — Four of the 36 towns in Maguindanao province are now totally "drug free," officials confirmed during a security conference Tuesday.

Representatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao announced during the session of the provincial peace and order council that Pandag, Shariff Aguak, Paglat and Kabuntalan had been cleared of illegal drug traffickers and dependents, and of drug dens.

PDEA-ARMM officials said the feat was achieved with the help of local officials, the provincial police, the Army's 6th Infantry Division and the office of Maguindanao Gov. Esmael Mangudadatu, who is PPOC's presiding chairperson.

Barangay Kabuling in Pandag was a once major transshipment point for methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) in Maguindanao.

The PDEA-ARMM declared Barangay Kabuling totally cleared from drug rings last month.

Tuesday's meeting of the inter-agency PPOC in Buluan town was  attended by Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana of 6th ID and Senior Superintendent Edwin Wagan, director of the Maguindanao provincial police.

Mangudadatu said he is grateful to the local government units of the four “drug free” towns for addressing domestic narcotics concerns.

Sobejana said credit for the feat has to go to PDEA-ARMM and the provincial government for overseeing the anti-illegal drugs campaign in Maguindanao of President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Units of the 6th ID in these now `drug cleared’ areas just assisted by way of providing tactical and manpower support to the anti-narcotics effort of PDEA-ARMM and the office of the provincial governor and the provincial police command,” Sobejana said.

He said all armor and artillery assets of 6th ID can be utilized against drug rings protected by armed groups if needed by PDEA-ARMM and the office of Mangudadatu.

The mayors of Paglat, Pandag, Shariff Aguak and Kabuntalan have assured to embark on more programs meant to prevent the recurrence of drug trafficking in their areas.