MALLS AS NARCO DROP POINTS? PDEA-6 keeps watch as Dinagyang nears

By Jennifer P. Rendon 

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-6) is keeping close watch of areas where illegal drug transactions might happen, particularly malls and shopping centers, as the Dinagyang Festival approaches.

Alex Tablate, PDEA-6 regional director, said they have started intensified inspections in Iloilo City since December 2019.

Recently, PDEA agents and K-9 units conducted random paneling and inspections at SM City Iloilo located at Mandurriao, Iloilo City.

Tablate said that it was part of their pre-emptive measures to avert proliferation of illegal drugs in Iloilo City.

Tablate said the same operation will be done in other malls in the city.

Shopping centers are now part of PDEA inspections after a suspected drug pusher was caught dealing narcotics inside a similar establishment in Aklan province.

The pusher left a package of drugs in the courtesy booth or package counter of the store. He later gave the claim tag of the package to the supposed buyer.

Aside from malls, PDEA-6 will also target drinking joints and night clubs.

Tablate said they will be on guard against persons who trade and initiate pot sessions in leisure spots.

On Jan. 9, 2020, the PDEA-6 K9 and Airport Interdiction Teams again conducted random paneling on flights from Singapore, arrival and departure lobbies, and the Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines Cargo areas of the Iloilo International Airport in Cabatuan, Iloilo.

Tablate said these are just part of the many inspections they conducted at the airport.

“The routine operation serves as a deterrence and prevention of possible entry and exit of illegal drugs through international airports,” he said.

No illegal drugs were found during the operation.

Apart from the Iloilo airport, PDEA-6 had been doing rounds in seaports and transport terminals all over the region.

Amid these inspections, Tablate clarified that they have not monitored any big shipment intended for Dinagyang.

He said they are also working with the PNP in watching after transient boarders who might sneak in drugs to Iloilo City.

Tablate said they are targeting transients after a couple from Cebu was arrested in a police anti-drug operation afternoon of Jan. 8, 2019 in City Proper, Iloilo City.

Police identified the suspect as  Raymund Baclado, 28, Mandaue City, Cebu and Janice Pansoy, 22, of Naga City, Cebu who yielded suspected shabu worth P750,000.

The couple rented a boarding house prior to their arrest.