TWG for Metro Cebu Drug Council formed

CEBU, Philippines —  The creation of the Metro Cebu Anti-Drugs Abuse Council is now underway with the formation of a technical working group.

One of Cebu City Mayor Mike Rama’s special assistants and COSAP chair Ernest Herrera had been selected as the TWG chairman.

Based on information disclosed by the Cebu City’s news and Information team, other members of the TWG include Dr. Neila Aquino (Department of Interior and Local Government), Dr. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz(CSO), along with other representatives from Metro Cebu local government units, including Mandaue’s Ben Manzano, Lapu-lapu’s Garry Lao, Consolacion’s Abby Banuag, and Minglanilla’s Atty. Hope Villamor.

Herrera, during the TWG meeting, stressed the need to put up such a council so they can help each other out as the problems on illegal drugs have no boundaries.

 “Many and a lot of concerns not only in Cebu City nga concerns moabot gyud beyond Cebu City nga concern together especially with Lapu-lapu, Mandaue and the rest, lisud if wala tay any understanding and coordination and I think it's about time,” Herrera said.

In a separate development, some LGUs under the Province of Cebu received performance awards from DILG’s 2023 Anti-drug abuse council at Crowne Plaza, Galleria in Manila the other day.

This includes the city of Bogo, and the towns of Alegria, Borbon, Ronda, Samboan, Santander, and Tabogon, as well as San Francisco, Tudela, and Poro of Camotes Island.

All awardees got P100,000 as incentive, plus a functionality certificate from DILG.

The cities of Bogo and Danao also got a special citation for its Community-based drug rehab program along with Consolacion and Daanbantayan.

Arrested

Meanwhile, a ‘high-value drug personality’ with over P800,000 worth of drugs was arrested in Sitio Hawaiian, Barangay Marigondon, Lapu-lapu City, Wednesday night November 22, 2023.

Lee Macky Legaspi, 33-years-old from Barangay Apas Cebu City, was arrested by the Station Drug Enforcement Unit of Police Station 4 of Lapu-Lapu City Police Office, led by Police Captain Abraham Igot.

Captain Igot said they received information regarding Legaspi’s alleged illegal activity in the area, which prompted them to conduct monitoring for a few days.

When they found that the information was positive, they conducted a buy-bust operation.

Seized from Legaspi was 125 grams of shabu worth P850,000.

Legaspi is currently being held at Police Station 4 pending the filing of charges against him on the violation of Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act or RA 9165. (CEBU NEWS)