Mayor orders cops to go after drug syndicates

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez urged the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) to focus on going after drug syndicates.

Benitez said that the recent drug haul of the BCPO proves that police are doing their mandate in the war against illegal drugs, especially since the city is celebrating the MassKara Festival this month.

Operatives of the City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) seized P20.5 million worth of suspected shabu in a drug bust in Barangay Singcang-Airport here last Tuesday.

Police Colonel Noel Aliño, BCPO director, said that Benitez has ordered them to catch the “big fishes” in the illegal drug trade to totally eradicate the problem of illegal drugs here.

“For conviction na ang target natin, hindi lang arrest. Babantayan natin ang mga kaso kahit hindi na ako naka assign dito,” Aliño said.

Aliño urged the barangay officials to help the police in the anti-illegal drug campaign to make the city drug-free.

For his part, Benitez said that there’s no holds barred for the BCPO, as he lauded them for doing good work. The mayor turned over an undetermined cash reward to Aliño for the recent accomplishment.

With the recent drug haul, which is considered to be the biggest in Western Visayas, Benitez said the city should double the security at entry points.

“We will come up with a strategy in terms of tracking, especially in possible ports of entry,” he added.

“Bisan ano himuon nila indi sila kapalagyo, madakpan gid na sila,” the mayor said.

Benitez said they’re taking all the necessary steps and efforts so that illegal drugs will not flourish here.

Benitez also said that they are talking with the legal team about a possible sanction for parents who may have full knowledge about the illegal activities of their children, citing reports that some children are being used in illegal activities.

Meanwhile, Benitez said that they have requested signal jamming from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) during the highlights of the MassKara Festival on October 21 and 22.

He said the proposed signal jamming will cover the Megaworld Upper East to Bacolod City Government Center from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. on October 21, and Rizal-Araneta Streets to Paglaum Sports Complex for the MassKara Streetdance and Arena Competition from 12 noon to 9 p.m. on October 22.

He said they are still waiting for the approval of the NTC.