1,458 Central Visayas barangays still drug-affected

MANILA, Philippines — Up to 1,458 or 48.55 percent of the 3,003 barangays in Central Visayas remain drug-affected.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Region 7 information officer Leia Albiar-Alcantara bared this during an online media forum on Tuesday, even as she stressed that PDEA is working hand-in-hand with the Philippine National Police to eradicate the drug problem in the region.

At least 1,429 barangays in Central Visayas had earlier been declared drug-cleared.

A total of 116 barangays are drug-free or had never been affected by drugs and with no presence of drug personalities or illegal drug activities.

Alcantara said drug-free and cleared barangays are being monitored to maintain their status.

Jonar Cuayzon, PDEA regional office intelligence chief, said Central Visayas is considered one of the major markets for illegal drugs in the country.

He said Cebu City is among the ”most problematic areas” since drug traders blend with the locals to keep their business.

Cuayzon also cited the city’s strategic location, which has contributed to it becoming one of the transshipment points for illegal drugs.

PDEA said illegal drugs valued at P1.3 billion have been confiscated in Central Visayas since January.

Shabu worth P1.25 billion, marijuana valued at 21.3 million and Ecstasy tablets, P5 million, were seized in 8,354 anti-illegal drug operations in the region.

Last year, anti-narcotics agents seized P761 million worth of illegal drugs in 7,923 operations. – The Freeman