By Leonardo Micua

 

THE most recent attempt to smuggle over one ton of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) valued at P6. 89 billion into Pangasinan was foiled by law-enforcement authorities with crucial help from local fishermen.

Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. Similar illicit operations have taken place in the past, and given our often unguarded coastlines, there’s no guarantee it won’t happen again.

Our shorelines remain vulnerable, with isolated stretches where people and goods can come and go unnoticed.

In this latest case, sacks of illegal drugs were found floating at sea, intended to be picked up by local contacts of an international drug ring. Fortunately, our fishermen discovered the cache first and alerted the police.

The timing of the smuggling attempt has fueled speculations of political links because it occurred just after the elections, a period when some candidates, having spent lavishly in their campaigns are desperate to recoup their expenses.

One of the earliest major attempts to smuggle billions of pesos worth of shabu into Pangasinan dates back to early 2000 in Sitio Bayambang, Barangay Cato, Infanta.

The volume of illegal drugs recovered then was so significant that then President Joseph Estrada and PNP chief Panfilo Lacson, who will be back as senator in the next Congress, personally flew to Lingayen to inspect the seized narcotics and commend Police Provincial Director Joel Goltiao and his men for a job well done.

There are suspicions that other drug smuggling operations may have quietly succeeded over the years, completely eluding authorities.

For instance, in August 2022, a large volume of shabu — believed to have originated from a sea drop — was seized in a subdivision in Pozorrubio town, leading to the arrest of a Chinese national and his four Filipino accomplices.

More recently, packets of shabu were also discovered along the shorelines of Pangasinan and Ilocos Sur in 2023 and 2024, further indicating that Ilocos Region remains a preferred entry point for maritime drug trafficking.

To prevent more of these, vigilance from both law enforcement and the community is essential. Without it, our unguarded shores will continue to serve as gateways for illegal drugs that harm our people and future.

It’s time that the police and PDEA reactivate the Operation Coast Watch, which to my mind was in place when then Colonel Amado Espino Jr. was the Pangasinan police provincial director to make sure that any monkey business happening along the coastline can be reported to the authorities fast.

*          *          *          *

The trial of Vice President Sara Duterte by senators sitting as judges was further stalled when they, except for Senators Robin Padilla, Imee Marcos, and Cynthia Villar, who were already in robes, passed a resolution by a vote of 18-5 remanding the impeachment complaint back to the House of Representatives. 

The House did not take this matter just sitting down. It said that it will be sent back to the upper chamber. 

Ano? Ang impeachment ay magiging volleyball na! Pasahan na lamang ng bola. 

With just a few days to go before the life span of the 19th Congress finally came to an end, can the impeachment of VP Sara cross over to the 20th Congress? Many said yes. Others are not in agreement. 

For sure, the Supreme Court may be asked to resolve this contentious issue. 

For not doing their constitutional duty to hold a trial, in the meantime, the senators will be depriving the public of a chance to listen to the complaints leveled against Sara. 

Many wonder if Senate President Chiz Escudero is shielding VP Sara from all those accusations thrown her way by her accusers. They say that as Senate president, he should not take sides. 

Perhaps, the Senate president wants to retain his seat in the 20th Congress, that’s why he decided to kowtow to the majority in remanding the impeachment complaint back to the House. 

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments