Dagupan PNP challenged by PDEA’s tag
WAR VS. ILLEGAL DRUGS
AFTER the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) regional office tagged two barangays in Dagupan “as seriously affected” by illegal drugs, the Dagupan City police station (DCPS) has considered that as a challenge.
Barangay Bonuan Binloc and Bonuan Gueset remain in category one or “seriously affected by illegal drugs” despite efforts of the DCPS and PDEA R-1 to neutralize drug trading in the two barangays.
“It is a challenge for us, and we do not deny that,” said PSupt. Christopher Abrahano, chief of DCPS who was recently cited as Best Police Community Relations (PCR) police commissioned officer of the year in Pangasinan.
The two barangays’ notoriety was revealed by last year by Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) chairman Antonio Villar Jr. during the Philippine Independence Day celebration here.
SUPPLY-REDUCTION
From January to July 10, 2014, the DCPS conducted 40 operations that led to the arrest of 55 persons, confiscation of 193.75 grams of shabu with a market value of P918,750 and 213.742 grams of marijuana with a market value of P106,871.
“We know this will not totally cripple illegal drug trade in the city but at least this is a significant blow to their trade and would be difficult for them to recover their losses,” said Abrahano.
Some of the arrested persons were among the drug personalities included in the PNP watch list while some of the “big fishes” relocated to other towns.
“A drug personality who was arrested in Lingayen town admitted he moved from Dagupan because of the many operations we were conducting,” Abrahano said.
DEMAND-REDUCTION
DCPS has been conducting ‘demand-reduction’ campaign with the cooperation of the city government.
The City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC) and Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council (BADAC) have been fully reactivated to help identify drug pushers and users in their communities.
“Last week, a college student was arrested while smoking marijuana at the city plaza, thanks to the report of a concerned citizen,” Abrahano recalled.
The establishment of the Drug Rehabilitation Center in Bonuan Binloc is seen as a boon to the campaign against illegal drugs to help the victims.
“Many of the users arrested wanted and needed to be in a rehabilitation center, but public rehab centers are not accessible to them,” Abrahano noted.
The proposal of Mayor Belen Fernandez to put up the city’s own drug testing laboratory and hire own chemists was also welcomed by Abrahano.
“This will accelerate the prosecution of pushers and will save us time and resources as well,” he said.
SUPPORT
Fernandez also pledged to allocate P1 million as additional intelligence fund of the DCPS.
“The amount will go a long way in our fight against illegal drugs,” Abrahano said.
The police chief feels confident about an early success in the war against illegal drugs in the city because of the holistic approach involving the PNP, LGU, and the community. (Hilda M. Austria)
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
