Negros’ illegal drug woes bug PDEA

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) considers Negros Occidental as their “most challenging area” in Western Visayas in terms of illegal drugs.

This was according to PDEA-6 director Alex Tablate, citing the coastlines in the province which easily connects to other regions.

“Challenge sa atin kasi ilang oras lang ang biyahe through seaports nasa Region 7 ka na,” he added.

Despite classifying the province as most challenging area in the region, Tablate said it is fortunate that large volumes of drugs were seized in the province.

“It is fortunate na may ganong kalaking recovery in Negros, otherwise bagsak yan sa communities,” Tablate said.

Tablate was referring to the drug haul in San Carlos City and Escalante City, worth P13.6 million and P34 million worth of shabu, respectively.

“These are the most probable areas na puwedeng daanan,” Tablate said, adding that San Carlos City is the usual entrance from Region 7.

“Historically speaking, talagang maraming narereport diyan, but hindi natin masabi if iyong drugs are exclusively intended for San Carlos kasi parang “transhipment area” lang siya,” Tablate added.

It is also possible that drugs may also be intended for Bacolod and other neighboring areas.

Despite the big volume of drug recoveries in the province, Tablate noted that they have not monitored any illegal drug laboratory in the region.

“Considering the topography, coastlines in the country, it’s very possible na may ibang areas na puwedeng daanan, hindi natin alam baka hindi lang drugs but armas din among other items na puwedeng pumapasok dito,” Tablate said.

Thus, he urged coastal barangays in the province to report any suspicious individuals in their areas for authorities to validate their presence and background.

Tablate also said they are conducting profiling of the seized items to determine the source of the contraband, especially since some of the seized items in the country, particularly Luzon, were sealed in Chinese tea packaging.

Meanwhile, Police Lt. Abegale Donasco, public information officer of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo), said they are also challenged, as there are many small-time drug offenders in the province.

“We need to work it out, that’s why we need the help of force multipliers and barangay intelligence network in providing us information,” she added.

Donasco said they also welcome the involvement of other units in conducting buy-bust operations to help minimize the drug problem in the province.

“It’s good because we’re working hand in hand naman,” she added.

During a regular virtual press briefing yesterday, Donasco said three drug groups are operating in the province but she could not reveal more details due to confidentiality.