Monday, November 8, 2010

VIGILANTES VS DRUGS NIXED

PDEA-6: Bakhaw is our responsibility

By Tara Yap

THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA 6) is urging the citizenry to stay away from being vigilantes in the fight against illegal drugs.

PDEA made the statement amidst rumors that the village of Bakhaw in Mandurriao district would be razed to the ground to wipe out the persistent illegal drug trade in the area.

“That’s uncalled for. They should leave it to us and not take the law into their own hands,” said PDEA-6 regional director Paul Ledesma.

Ledesma also pointed out that there are still good families in the village despite that a Prevendido—one of the suspected leaders of a drug group in Iloilo City—won as village chief in the recently concluded barangay and SK elections.

Remia Prevendido-Gregori beat incumbent Ruby Gallano, who was considered by PDEA-6 as a strong partner in the series of buy-bust operations that aimed to minimize the illegal drug trade in the village.

Ledesma expressed he still has confidence in the support of local residents even if a Prevendido will be running the village in the next three years.

“I’m still confident. The Prevendidos will have a hard time identifying everyone who had been helping us and those who continue to help us,” Ledesma pointed out.

PDEA-6’s successful drug operations in the last year-and-a-half have been credited to the cooperation of village officials and the courage of residents who were able to supply credible information.

As to the “untouchables” who are supposedly instilling fear among local residents, Ledesma noted it’s only a perception.

“Their perceived power has always been anchored on the ambiance of fear within their community,” Ledesma explained.

“That’s why they think they’re untouchables,” Ledesma added.

Last November 2, PDEA-6 in a joint operation with the local police nabbed eight suspected drug personalities.

Ramil Buenavista, Arnold Rafer, Raven Piodena, Lester John Guevara, Alvin Navarro, Jonathan Pajelleno, Benjie Barreda, and Elrey Roberto were caught in the middle of a pot session where they were allegedly using shabu.

The eight are facing charges for violating Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Specifically, they are being charged for violation of Sec. 5 (Sale, Trading, Administration, Dispensation, Delivery, Distribution, and Transportation of Dangerous Drugs), Sec. 11 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs), Sec. 13 (Possession of Dangerous Drugs During Parties, Social Gatherings or Meetings), and Sec. 14 (Possession of Equipment, Instrument, Apparatus and Other Paraphernalia).

Ledesma has strongly warned drug pushers in Bakhaw that PDEA-6 will go after them regardless of a new leadership tagged to the family of a suspected drug lord.

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