PDEA flags Punta Tabuc as Roxas drug hotspot

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency has tagged Barangay Punta Tabuc as an illegal drug hotspot in Roxas City.

PDEA-Capiz Investigation Agent V and concurrent provincial officer Jury Rocamora said in a recent media interview that the assessment was based on the number of drug personalities arrested in the barangay and the number of drug dens raided there.

Despite the numerous arrests and drug den raids, illegal drug trade and transactions persist in the barangay, Rocamora said.

Rocamora added that Punta Tabuc village chief Nestor Buenviaje accepted the finding, prompting him and other village officials to seek help from the Philippine National Police and PDEA because of the continued proliferation of illegal drugs in their area.

He stressed that apprehending illegal drug suspects is not enough to stop the drug trade, adding that awareness and community education are also needed.

Rocamora also cited the creation of a Balay Silangan Reformation Center in the area.

Balay Silangan is a PDEA-led, local government-backed reformation program designed to help drug personalities become self-sufficient and law-abiding members of society through counseling, livelihood training, and community reintegration.

The program also aims to provide livelihood opportunities to participants.

Government agencies, including the Department of Trade and Industry and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, are essential participants because of their role in livelihood and skills training.

The Roxas Component City Police Station and the city government are planning to conduct dialogues with barangays where illegal drug problems persist.

The dialogues aim to stop illegal drug transactions and other related activities in their areas of responsibility.