Cebu has serious drug problem

CEBU, Philippines - Gov. Hilario Davide III commends the law enforcement agencies for their recent accomplishments in the anti-illegal drugs campaign.

But he stressed the arrests show that drug problem in Cebu is serious and he is asking the public to help the law enforcers and government officials in its fight against illegal drugs.

“I consider the drug problem here very serious and we should also be serious in our efforts to stop drugs here in our province,” Davide said.

The most recent accomplishment was last Tuesday’s arrest of  Nigerian national James Okwudili Uyanneh by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) 7 in  a motel in Mandaue City.

A search in his rented house in Lilo-an town yielded 770 grams of shabu worth  P3.5 million stuffed in his travelling bag.

The governor will soon convene the Provincial Anti-drugs Council to discuss the matter and for him to be apprised of the drug situation in the Province as well as the status of the anti-drug programs of law enforcement agencies.

Davide has told the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-7 to tell him how he can help in their fight against illegal drugs.

During a meeting earlier this week with PDEA-7 Regional Director Julius Navales, Davide assured them of support like acquisition of bulletproof vests, which are very useful in their operations.

In Davide’s press conference last Thursday, he also asked the public to help them solve the drug problem in Cebu.

“We need to help. The community should help also in our drive against drugs in the province,” said Davide.

For their part, Cebu Provincial Police Office Director Patrocinio Comendador reiterated to all chiefs of police of the 50 police stations in Cebu province to have at least one arrest of drug pushers in a month.

If a police chief fails to comply with the order and says that his area is free of illegal drugs, a team from the intelligence unit will validate his claim.

If  it is proven otherwise, he will be facing an administrative case.

Comendador said he ordered his personnel to prioritize those who are in the watch list of drug personalities in the municipal level.

Comendador said illegal drug trade is rampant in Metro Cebu areas like the cities of Talisay, Naga, Carcar, Toledo, Danao and Bogo and the towns of Minglanilla, San Fernando, Consolacion, Liloan and Compostela.

He added that curbing illegal drugs is not the primary concern of the police but of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

But due to the lack of personnel and PDEA satellite offices, the police has to do its share.

“We are just support agency but despite the situation, we need to make an action,” Comendador said.  (FREEMAN)