PDEA clears seven W. Visayas barangays from illegal drugs

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Three barangays in Negros Occidental were declared drug-free during the evaluation of the Regional Oversight Committee on Barangay Drug Clearing in Iloilo City last Tuesday.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-6 identified these barangays as Barangay Sto. Niño in E.B. Magalona town, Barangay 1-A in Manapla town, and Barangay 3 in Victorias City.

Four others in Iloilo were also declared drug-cleared, while 214 drug-cleared barangays in Western Visayas retained the similar status.

Meanwhile, personnel of PDEA-6 underwent mandatory drug tests last week at their office in Iloilo City and all yielded negative results.

With the agency’s implementation of the ‘One Strike Policy’ and as provided for under Republic Act 9165 or Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, members of PDEA including drug enforcement officers, admin personnel, technical staff and job hires are required to be tested for drugs.

PDEA-6 acting director Alex Tablate said that as the lead agency in the campaign against illegal drugs, they observe zero tolerance even to personnel who will test positive for drug use.

All agents assigned in the region but are presently attending court hearings in other regions were also tested in the Laboratory Testing Centers of the agency.