RPSB-7 awarded for 10T marijuana stalks uprooted

CEBU, Philippines - The Police Regional Office-7 has awarded the Regional Public Safety Battalion-7 yesterday for recently uprooting at least 10,000 stalks of marijuana in the towns of Badian and Dalaguete.

PRO-7 director Prudencio Bañas handed over the Me-dalya ng Papuri to the team of Inspector Alvino Enguito, officer-in-charge of the Regional Public Safety Company, during his first command visit to Camp Ceferino Genovia in Barangay Bahay, Sibonga yesterday morning.

Bañas recognized RPSB-7 for its support to the anti-illegal drug campaign launched by PRO-7 despite being assigned for counter-insurgency works, said RPSB-7 commander Superintendent Clifford Gairanod.

Last August 17 to 20, Enguito’s team was conducting counter-insurgency operation when they discovered a vast marijuana plantation in the boundary of Badian and Dalaguete.

They managed to uproot some 10,000 stalks of fully-grown marijuana believed to amount to over P800,000.

Gairanod said that RPSB-7’s mandate is counter-insurgency but as police officers, they support the fight against illegal drugs.

“’Pag nagkaroon kami ng combat operations, lahat ng nadaanan natin ng marijuana, tanggal talaga ‘yon,” said Gairanod.

Gairanod said they will not discount the possibility that the rebels, who are now losing the support of the masses especially in Cebu, have resorted to planting marijuana to support their needs in the mountains.

After the awarding ceremony, Bañas held a command briefing among RPSB-7 personnel.

The event was attended by the mayors of the City of Naga, and of Moalboal and Argao towns as well as the vice mayors of Dumanjug, Sibonga, Dalaguete and Santander towns. Regional directorial staffs were also present during the ceremony.

Bañas also inspected the camp facilities and met with US Navy personnel who are temporarily billeted in the camp. — (FREEMAN)