No reason to let guard down on drugs, gambling - Gwen

CEBU, Philippines - Despite the claim of authorities that the campaign against illegal drugs has been successful in the province in the past months, Governor Gwendolyn Garcia believes there is no reason to let the guard down.

During the meeting of the Regional Peace and Order Council 7, Garcia reiterated her declaration of an all-out war against illegal drugs and illegal gambling in the region.

Garcia presided the meeting as RPOC 7 chairman. She first declared an all-out war against illegal drugs during the council meeting about a year ago on March 26, 2009 in Dumaguete City.

Garcia also noted the strengthened cooperation among law enforcement agencies tasked to go against illegal drug traffickers for the past year.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency 7 Regional Director Randy Pedroso confirmed coordination among law enforcement agencies was intensified following last year’s declaration. He emphasized that their ultimate objective is to catch the big-time drug traffickers.

In yesterday’s meeting, Pedroso reported that they arrested 1,220 drug pushers last year, higher than the 503 pushers arrested in 2008. Following the arrests, 1,034 cases were filed in court last year compared to the 429 cases in 2008.

In 2008, PDEA-7 confiscated illegal drugs with a market price of P3,991,407.58, while in 2009, the total market price of the drugs seized reached P20,105,490.00.

Pedroso said these accomplishments paved way for Region 7 to be adjudged as number one in the fight against illegal drugs in the country. They reportedly managed to live up to the ranking in the first two months of 2010.

Pedroso said support and cooperation of local government units, as well as barangays, have contributed largely to the success of their operations.   — Jose P. Sollano/JMO (THE FREEMAN)