JVR to PNP: Step up on drug fight

CEBU, Philippines - Talisay City Mayor Johnny V. De los Reyes recently challenged Superintendent Reycel Carmelo Dayon, the city police chief, to step up the fight against illegal drugs.

De los Reyes told the police to dismantle drug operators from top-to-bottom, whether big or small-time operators, who are responsible for the proliferation of the illegal trade in the city.

This as the Regional Special Operation Group arrested suspected drug pushers in a raid last week in Barangay Tanke.

The raid was executed on the strength of a search warrant issued by Regional Trial Court Judge Gilbert Moises.

Several packs of suspected shabu were seized from the house of Rhoda Obrero, one of four people arrested. The others were Mesael Orapa, Albert Calapas, and Jobino Banzon.

Confiscated were seven big packs, five medium packs and 26 small packs of illegal drugs and drug sniffing paraphernalia along with two functional video karera machines.

De los Reyes said he was happy with the recent development conducted by the Police Regional Office together with other law enforcement agencies.

The mayor said illegal drugs may affect a person's way of thinking and may lead him to commit crimes.

The mayor added that the problem of illegal drugs would not be given solution if persons having position in the government organization are the ones behind the illegal activity.

Proper coordination of the authorities is one of the actions to be taken, he said.

Tanke Barangay Captain Perla Cabanes, in an interview, said despite their effort to persuade people to keep away from the illegal drugs, only few listen.

Cabanes said she could identify 10 more or less drug peddlers in her area of responsibility.