Bakhaw drug affectation not alarming, city police chief says

By Jennifer P. Rendon

In the current state of things, “illegal drug affectation” in Barangay Bakhaw, Mandurriao, Iloilo City has not reached an alarming level.

Colonel Joeresty Coronica made this assessment days after he was installed as Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) chief.

Coronica had a series of talks with personnel, particularly those assigned at the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) and the City Intelligence Unit (CIU), immediately after he assumed the post.

“Indi man gid sya dalom,” the city top cop said when asked how deep the illegal drug trade has made its way back to Bakhaw, which was once labeled as Iloilo City’s drug haven.

But, “we want to stop as early as possible. Nag-amat-amat balik pero indi gid amo na kalalà,” he said.

Coronica added, “that’s why, at this stage, we want to address so that the old problem won’t go back.”

In particular, he discussed the problem in the past wherein drug lords are so powerful that even the police are afraid of them because of their vast connections.

“As early as now, we want to stop [them]. If we can’t stop, at least minimize the problem,” he said.

Coronica said there is a need to immediately respond to the concern before reaching an alarming level.

And besides, “that’s one of the marching orders of our city mayor (Jerry Treñas) and regional director (Brigadier General Leo Francisco),” he said.

Effective Thursday, Coronica has designated Lieutenant Greg Matutino as ICPO CDEU officer-in-charge.

A few days ago, he also named Lieutenant Colonel Albert Sy as OIC of Iloilo City Police Station 5, the unit that covers Bakhaw.

On January 27, Francisco ordered the relief of all personnel of CDEU and ICPS5 following a buy-bust operation at a drug den in Bakhaw that led to the arrest of 32 persons and the confiscation of P918,000 worth of suspected shabu,

Aside from ordering the relief of personnel of the two units, Francisco would also like to review the list of police personnel who are residing, temporarily or permanently, in Bakhaw.

Meanwhile, despite the concerns raised over the possible return of illegal drug proliferation in the area, Coronica said there’s no need to create a task force.

“I have to assess the preforms of our new operatives. I believe that if they have the motivation, inspiration, and support, they could tackle the drug problem in Bakhaw,” he said.