Cops deployed in 7 entry, exit points

By Tara Yap

THE PNP’s Task Force Bakhaw is keeping vigil in key entrance and exit points of Brgy. Bakhaw, Mandurriao, Iloilo City after it was reactivated over the weekend.

C/Supt. Cipriano Querol Jr., reactivated the task force in Brgy. Bakhaw in the wake of reports that it is now under the control of the Prevendido drug group.

Headed by Supt. Leo Batiles, TF Bakhaw’s main purpose is to curb the buying and selling of illegal drugs in the area.

“Kon wala ang pusher may ibaligya, ang adik indi maka bakal (Addicts can’t buy if the pushers can’t sell),” Batiles said.

Batiles explained this is meant to reduce supply and demand as both buyers and sellers will now find it harder to freely move with the presence of law enforcers in and around the village.

TF Bakhaw has started conducting checkpoints in the seven entry and exit points of Bakhaw monitoring who goes in and out, especially prospective buyers.

Querol, in a dialogue with village officials and residents Sunday, urged the community to cooperate in combating the proliferation of illegal drugs.

Outgoing village chief Ruby Gallano assured law enforcers that she will continue to support the anti-illegal drugs campaign even if a Prevendido—Remia Prevendido-Gregori—is set to succeed her as barangay captain by the end of the month.

“It is my duty and I will urge others to cooperate because this is the only place we call home,” Gallano said.

TF Bakha will closely coordinate with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-6), which had several successful anti-drug operations in the last year-and-half.

“This only strengthens the partnership between PDEA and the police force in our mandates of wiping out the illegal drug trade in Iloilo,” said PDEA-6 regional director Paul Ledesma.

But Ledesma noted that it is too early to tell how effective TF Bakhaw is. “They are still feeling their way around. Let’s give them time to know the ins and outs of Bakhaw.”

“Eventually, their presence will be felt,” he added.

Meanwhile, some residents complained about the presence of too many cops carrying M16 rifles in the village.