Illegal drugs transported to Panglao

TAGBILARAN CITY, Philippines  — Pumpboat operators have been warned against the lucrative sideline of transporting illegal drugs from other provinces to the island-town of Panglao in Bohol.

Panglao Mayor Benedicto Alcala confirmed having heard of reports that some pumpboats, supposedly ferrying visitors to tourist spots in the island, have been commissioned to transport illegal drugs from other areas to Balicasag island.

Alcala, in a meeting early this week, said he already warned the pumpboat operators about this, as he admitted that the illegal drugs trade already penetrated the villages of Panglao where tourists are staying.

The mayor also confirmed having heard reports about some foreigners supplying and using drugs while staying in tourist destinations of Panglao. He said that a bar in this town has reportedly become a drug den right at the nose of the police.

Alcala expressed lament that the authorities failed to intercept these transported drugs and that illegal activities in some bars have never been acted upon.

Informants have since been reporting about suppliers from Tagbilaran who would deliver drugs to Panglao at dawn, he said.

The report had already been relayed to the Panglao Police even during the stint of previous chiefs of police, but until now not one suspect was arrested.

Recently, the mayor was told that the police have been following up two targets—for which he assured his 100 percent support—but until now, there has been no result yet. This made him think that the police has inefficient intelligence network.

Bohol Provincial Police director Constantino Barot Jr., for his part, immediately relayed to the town’s police chief the matter of the worsening drug problem in Panglao. (FREEMAN)