Big players remain free: Garcia unhappy with drug fight

CEBU, Philippines — While he acknowledged the police accomplishments against illegal drugs, Cebu City acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Garcia of Cebu City is dissatisfied with them because only the small fries have been arrested.

Speaking before the men and women of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) in Camp Sotero Cabahug yesterday, he said they should also go after the big personalities in the illegal drug trade.

He said that even though he is impressed with CCPO’s accomplishments, he was not satisfied because he noticed that most of those caught are small-time drug pushers.

“I appreciate your pursuit against illegal drugs, apan kasagaran sa mga nadakpan, ang mga gagmay nga drug pushers nga makuhaan og illegal substance. Human madakpan ang pusher, naa na say lain nga mopuli. Ug madakpan ang mopuli, naa na say laing mopuli. Kon kutob ra ta ani, walay kahumanan ang atong paningkamot!” he said.

“What I am ordering you now is to dig deep into the drug trade in the city and go after the main suppliers. Dili lang ta kutob sa mga pusher, I need to see that you run after the source…! Run after the personalities who are protecting them, bisan og kauban pa na ninyo nga police, mga pulitiko, o negosyante,” he further said.

Garcia said that if no one is there to finance illegal drugs, the problem would not persist.

For his part, P/Col. Antonieto Cañete, CCPO acting director, said they will continue to strengthen their campaign against illegal drugs.

He, however, declined on comment on what the acting mayor said about CCPO’s anti-drug campaign accomplishments.

“No comment. That is everybody's appreciation. Anyway, trabaho lang tayo,” he said.

Cañete said they have monitored illegal drug players, who quickly move to other places where they can better pursue their illegal drug trade, once they notice that they are under surveillance.

He said they would continue to coordinate with various law enforcement agencies in the anti-illegal drug campaign. —/RHM (FREEMAN)