9 brgys may lose ‘drug-free’ status

CEBU, Philippines – Nine villages in San Francisco town, Camotes Islands are in danger of losing their “drug-free” status after some of their drug surrenderers were found positive for illegal drugs.

Yogi Felimon Ruiz, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) regional director, said the drug-cleared certification given to the villages might be revoked for still having drug users.

He, however, refused to disclose the names of the barangays.

But it can be recalled that PDEA-7 declared the barangays of Cabongaan, Campo, Consuelo, Esperanza, Santiago, Southern Poblacion, Unidos, Union, Western Poblacion and Sonog as drug-free last April 11.

In Barangay Union, the agency recently arrested two alleged bigtime drug traders in a buy-bust operation.

PDEA agents caught businesswoman Marie Ann Maglasang and her alleged boyfriend Christopher Cobrado in a buy-bust in her residence in Union last Friday night, June 23.

The suspects yielded 1,052 grams of white crystals believed to be shabu worth P4.1 million.

“Kani siya nga high-value target, dugay-dugay na ta ani niya nag-monitor naglisod ta ani niyag pangita kay daghan ani niyang balhin-balhinan. So we were able to pinpoint their location then nag-conduct ta og buy-bust operation,” he said.

Ruiz said Maglasang got her supply from one of the country’s biggest illegal drug distributors, whom he did not identify.

“We are submitting reports sa head office para sa pag-file og kaso sa person. Nakakuha ta og bank transaction receipts niya, dagko kaayo,” he said.

He said the properties of Maglasang would be subjected for forfeiture proceedings.

Based on initial investigation, Ruiz said Maglasang owns at least 15 houses in Cebu and Manila worth millions of pesos.

“Kuhaon nato ang ilang capability to continue their business,” he said.

As to the affected barangays, Ruiz said they will have a lot of explaining to do for still having drug users.

“We’ll send them letters to explain why ang ilang drug-cleared status dili nato i-revoke. Once i-revoke na na nato sila, subject for administrative cases ang mga local government officials. Once we see negligence on their part, amo gyud nang i-revoke and we’ll be filling cases,” he said.

Other barangays in the towns of Boljoon, Catmon, Borbon, Poro, Tudela, Sogod, and Tabogon are also asked to explain.

PDEA-7 has formed a committee to assess and evaluate the explanations of the said barangays.

Ruiz said acquiring a drug-free status should not be a reason for the barangays and police to be complacent.

“Ang pagtuo man gud sa uban nga once they acquired drug-cleared status, kay puwede na sila magrelax. I think that’s something nga dapat mas magkugi pa sila para ma-maintain nila ang status. Dili bya lalim nga ma-filan ka og administrative case,” he said, adding that barangays should double their efforts to maintain their drug-free status. —/KBQ (FREEMAN)