Village chief favors drug test for brgy poll bets

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – Punong Barangay Erwin Oroceo of Barangay Baybay, Roxas City favors the proposal for all candidates in the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) on October 30, 2023 to undergo drug testing.

Oroceo said candidates should be tested before filing their certificates of candidacy to help voters scrutinize their fitness for public office.

He added that he himself will undergo the test to prove that he does not tolerate the illegal drug trade.

“Handa ako magpa-drug test agud mahibaluan sang tawo nga wala ginatolerar ang iligal nga druga nga maglibot-libot sa barangay,” Oroceo said.

The statement was made in reaction to reports that Capiz has the most number of barangay officials in Region 6 who are involved in illegal drugs.

According to reports from the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6), there were 76 barangay officials involved in illegal drugs in the region. Of the number, 3 of them were punong barangays and 17 kagawads, all from Capiz.

PRO-6 acting director Police Brigadier General Sidney Villaflor said some of them were drug protectors while others were pushers.

But the list has been revalidated as it was based on an old database.