3 Lapu-Lapu barangays drug-cleared

CEBU, Philippines — Three barangays of Lapu-Lapu City were among the recently declared drug-cleared areas in Central Visayas.

Barangays Pangan-an, Caubian, and Kalawisan in Lapu-Lapu were declared drug-cleared after complying with all parameters set forth by the Regional Oversight Committee for Barangay Drug Clearing Program (BDCP) headed by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), and Department of Health (DOH).

According to guidelines of anti-illegal drug operations, drug-cleared means that all those in the PNP and PDEA watchlist are already accounted for and have underwent rehabilitation.

Garry Lao, executive director of Lapu-Lapu City Office for Substance Abuse and Prevention (CLOSAP), said in a statement that the declarations were in accordance with the PDEA Memorandum Circular no. 2020 – 026 and Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Regulation no. 4, series of 2021 sustaining the implementation of the BDCP.

Out of 30 barangays, the city has now 10 drug-cleared barangays, including Caw-oy, Baring, and Tungasan that were declared drug-cleared in 2021 while Subabasbas, Tingo and Sabang were all cleared in 2022 while the two others last December 2023.

The city also has one drug-free barangay–Caohagan, which means it does not have any reported presence of illegal drug users, pushers, or drug-related activities.

The PDEA, in coordination with the CLOSAP and PNP, has conducted a validation meeting with the drug cleared barangays in order to sustain their status and maintain the sustainability of drug-clearing in barangays.

Buy-bust operation

Meanwhile, the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit (RPDEU) of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 seized bags of suspected shabu in a buy-bust operation in Tres Borces Extension, Sitio San Vicente, Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City, past 9 pm Friday, August 2, 2024.

Arrested during the operation was Raymond Almacin Bongo, 49, a resident of Sitio Tabok, Brgy. Maslog, Danao City and seized from him was 125 grams of suspected shabu worth P750,000.

According to authorities, Bongo takes the illegal drugs to the city of Talisay, then drops them off to his people.

The suspect was subjected to three to four weeks of surveillance prior the buybust, where it was found out that he can dispose 200 grams of illegal drugs per week.

The suspect has been incarcerated in the past due to his involvement in illegal drugs. A case of violation of Republic Act 9165 will be filed against Bongo anew. — (FREEMAN)