30 Capiz villages remain drug-affected

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — About 30 barangays in Capiz province remain uncleared of illegal drugs, authorities said.

Monitoring data from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Capiz showed that 27 of the affected barangays are in Roxas City, while three are located in the towns of Panitan and Pontevedra.

“Ang kampanya sa illegal drugs ay hindi pa natatapos. Nandito pa rin tayo dahil patuloy na marami pa rin ang nasasaktan dulot nitong illegal drugs. Nandito ang PDEA para tulungan ang mga nabiktima nito para ma-reformed ang kanilang buhay,” said Jury G. Rocamora, Investigation Agent V and provincial officer of PDEA Capiz.

Rocamora said the agency continues to work with local government units and law enforcement to reduce drug proliferation and rehabilitate affected individuals.

Meanwhile, Punta Tabuc Punong Barangay Nestor Buenviaje admitted difficulty in curbing illegal drug activities in his village.

Buenviaje said the barangay remains vulnerable because some individuals involved in drug transactions are not residents and reportedly come from other areas to conduct illegal activities.