Pagadian City - Zamboanga Del Sur News and Information

ILLEGAL DRUG activities in Pagadian City and the province of Zamboanga del Sur have decreased in the past year, law enforcers said. Representatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Philippine National Police of Pagadian City and the

National Bureau of Investigation bared the accomplishments of their respective offices in 2009 in a local radio program. PDEA Agent Rommel Torres said that based on operations conducted by the PNP and in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, they have conducted 75 operations, arrested 144 persons, filed 200 cases and ceased almost a P1-million worth of dangerous drugs.

He added that these accomplishments were not only because of the efforts of the law enforcement but also by everyone in the province. “Likod aning operations kay mga tawo nga nagpakabana sa atong komunidad,” he stressed.

In the evaluation of PNP Pagadian on the city’s campaign against illegal drugs last year, City chief of police Michael Palermo said that 30% to 35% of the accomplishments stated by PDEA were Pagadian City’s contributions.

“We have won the streets with the fight against illegal drugs… we can see it in the figures,” Palermo said. He added that illegal drug activities have lessened and weakened compared to previous years.

He attributed the said achievement not only to the law enforcement but also those who spearheaded the campaign, to name: Governor Aurora Enerio– Cerilles, 2nd District Congressman Antonio Cerilles, as well as Board Member Ernesto Mondarte of the 1st District, Provincial Administrator Pepito Degamo, barangay officials and all those concerned on the drug problem in the city.

On his part, NBI chief Eric Distor said that “we are very busy on the intelligence support for the PDEA and the Pagadian City Police Office.” PDEA is an agency mandated to lead drug operations and is usually coordinated with the NBI during raids. “We provide agents as mandated by law and we also give PDEA the record checks of the persons under their surveillance,” he added.

Distor stressed that illegal drugs is not just the problem of the government. “Ito ay problema nating lahat, so we should involve the community. If we can’t eradicate [it], at least ma-lessen…,” he said.

                                                * Intensifying the campaign *
Board Member Mondarte, chairperson of the Anti–Dangerous Drugs Council said that more people in society are cooperating in the government’s crusade against illegal drugs.

“Before, we are only focused to students from the secondary to tertiary and also in municipalities. But now many are requesting the office of the Anti–Dangerous Drugs Council for the speaker’s bureau to educate their group, the parents, the men and even scouters,” he said.

He added that the awareness of parents and students on the negative effects of dangerous drugs may have been the reason why criminality in the province has lessened.