DAGUPAN’S DRUG-FREE SITIOS

SITIOS Bonuan Tondaligan, Aling in Barangay Pantal, and Silungan in Barangay Bonuan Binloc, once the haven for illegal drugs have been cleared finally of illegal drug pushers.

P/Superintendent Neil Miro, acting city police chief, made the claim during an interview with the PUNCH to underscore a fact that the war on drugs in the city is gaining ground.

Miro told newsmen that he can certify that up to this point and time, there are no more illegal drug pushers in Sitio Aling, once known as a notorious drug lair where a drug den was believed in existent till the Dagupan police swooped down and cleared the area.

Miro said the same situation exists today in Sitio Silungan, another notorious community in illegal drug trade until he posted one team of the Regional Public Safety Battalion to check the entry of any more illegal drugs in the village.

The drug problem in Bonuan Tondaligan, he said, was checked when most of the 38 Muslim families or 200 persons who used to live there left and returned to Mindanao, with the assistance of the city government.

Now, there are only five families comprising of 38 persons that had remained at Bonuan Tondaligan and are not into drug trade, he said.

He said the Task Force Bantay Droga he organized to monitor and report illegal drug incidents in the three areas have been effective in maintaining to keep the communities clear of drug pushers.

The members of the task force immediately alert the police 24/7 about any drug-related activities in these areas while elements of Special Weapons and Tactics and the Regional Public Safety Battalion provide regular patrol in the areas.

Miro said his next target areas are Bonuan Binloc, Bonuan Boquig and Bonuan Longos. Barangay Mamalingling has been declared drug-free.

The police have so far arrested more than 66 drug personalities through buy-bust operations and the application of search warrants since July 1 while six armed drug personalities died after resisting arrest.

Twenty deaths perpetrated by unknown hitmen are considered “deaths under investigation.”

Meanwhile, the DCPS held a feeding program in Sitio Aling on Sept. 20 to underscore its advocacy – “Kaysa droga ang ihain, sa pagkain na lang gugulin”.

Residents of Sitio Aling, a slum area, proudly installed a tarpaulin at the entrance to their place that reads: “Sitio Aling is now a drug-free community. Thank you Mayor Belen Fernandez, Supt. Neil Miro and Barangay Officials.”

Exit points that were used by drug pushers to escape police operations here are now controlled and closely monitored by the police.

“We now have many friends there who would point to pushers or users if they continue to do their illegal drug activity,” Miro said.

Meanwhile, he said he is confident that 50 percent of the drug problem in 31 barangays of the city have been addressed in less than three months starting July and believes it could go up to 80 percent by the end of this year.

He said Barangays Pantal and Binloc, Malued, Lucao and Carael — remain among the priority areas for police operations.

Records of the DCPS showed at least 30 drug pushers and 916 drug users personally surrendered to the police since July. Under Oplan Tokhang, the DCPS conducted 869 visitation of houses of suspected drug pushers and users. (Tita Roces/Leonardo Micua)

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