OUT of 1,364 barangays in the province, there are still 232 barangays that have to be cleared of illegal drug infection.

P/Major Arturo Melchor Jr., spokesperson of the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPPO), confirmed that the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), in coordination with the PPPO and barangay officials, is working double time to clear every town and city of illegal drugs.

Melchor said most of the recent applications submitted for declaration of drug-cleared status were denied owing to barangays’ lack of random drug test activities in their areas and also failed to provide ‘Balay Silangan’ for drug personalities.

The Balay Silangan serves as a “halfway house” for arrested drug personalities who availed of the plea bargaining before the court.

So far, the 232 barangays are part of the 19 towns and cities that remain uncleared of illegal drugs.

Meanwhile, in Dagupan City, only two barangays have been declared drug cleared. These are Barangay IV and Barangay Mamalingling.

P/Lt. Colonel Louise Benjie Tremor, Dagupan City chief of police, said Barangay Tebeng’s application for drug-cleared status is still being processed.

Since January to April 22, 2021, the Dagupan City PNP has launched 50 anti-illegal drugs operations that resulted in the arrest of 54 persons, confiscation of 6.45 grams of shabu and 1,280.21 grams of dried marijuana leaves.

Majority of arrested drug personalities were drug dealers. (Ahikam Pasion)

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