Prov’l Anti-Drug Abuse Council renders update on anti-drug campaign

• Source: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/1441499220303/prov-l-anti-drug-abuse-council-renders-update-on-anti-drug-campaign
• Friday, July 7, 2017

By Alfonso T. Ruda (ALT/ATR/PIA9-Zamboanga del Norte)

DIPOLOG CITY (PIA)--- The Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) met recently to get updates from its members particularly the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on the implementation of the anti-illegal drugs campaign in the province presided by Vice-Governor Atty. Senen O. Angeles.

In her report, PDEA head Agent Ailine Jo Artus said they have arrested 22 persons involved in illegal drugs and confiscated 39.035 grams of illegal drugs from January to June 2017.

The latest operation of PDEA in coordination with PNP and other law enforcement agencies resulted to the arrest of 2 active PNP personnel from the Zamboanga del Norte Provincial Police Office (ZNPPO), a fireman from Dipolog City Fire Station, and three others.

Aside from anti-illegal drugs campaign, PDEA is also involved in information dissemination such as conducting lectures at the 402nd Infantry Brigade at Barangay Usokan, Labason, Zamboanga del Norte and Barangay Drug Clearing Orientation Seminar in the municipalities of Godod, Sirawai, Siocon, Sibuco, Liloy, Tampilisan, Manukan, Piñan and the cities of Dipolog and Dapitan.

Meanwhile, PSupt. Charisse Yabo of ZNPPO reported that of the 691 barangays in Zamboanga del Norte, 168 are moderately affected and 523 still to be cleared.

The arrest of SPO2 Gilbert James and SPO2 Ramil Maguinsay and FO3 Ramil Mosqueda in a recent drug buy-bust operation conducted by the Anti-Drug Enforcement Team of Dipolog City Police Office means only one thing. This only proved that the PNP is serious in its campaign against illegal drugs and no one is exempted, even members of the police force who are expected to maintain law and order. It is also one way to cleanse the PNP from undesirable elements who will only tarnish the image of the institution.

During the said meeting, PADAC also approved the resolution of PDEA seeking to establish the Provincial Oversight Committee which will oversee the barangay drug clearing operations in the province.