Drug 'affectation' in Cebu City down to 91 percent since March

CEBU, Philippines —  The drug “affectation” in Cebu City has decreased to 91 percent from the 100 percent affectation record in March this year based on the monitoring of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-7.

This is after seven of the 80 barangays in the city have successfully implemented the Barangay Drug Clearing Program.

“Out of the 80 barangays in Cebu City, 7 successfully implemented the Barangay Drug Clearing Program, where identified drug personalities were accounted and the BADACs (Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils) were empowered to maintain their anti-illegal drug efforts,” said Leia Albiar, PDEA-7 spokesperson.

“With that, there’s a reduction in drug affectation in the city, from the 100% in March 2021, it’s currently 91%,” she added

Albiar said that their ultimate goal is to have a “drug-resistance and self-policing communities.” The drug affectation is based on the barangays being declared as drug-cleared.

This is also the objective along with the strong support of the communities, local leaders, and all stakeholders.

In its most recent operation, the PDEA-7 arrested a certain Bryan Adlawan, 37, during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Linao-Lipata, Minglanilla Cebu on Tuesday.

The operation was conducted at around 9:10 p.m. in coordination with the Cebu Provincial Intelligence Unit (PIU) and the Minglanilla Police Station.

Confiscated by the operatives during the operation was a pack of suspected shabu weighing around 50 grams with an estimated market value of P340,000.

Cases for violation of Section 5, Article II of Republic Act 9165 will be filed against the suspect.

According to Albiar, the operation was stemmed after confidential information tipped the agency off to Adlawan’s illegal activity.

Initial investigation revealed that Adlawan could dispose of 300 grams of illegal drugs per week after a week of case buildup.

Further investigation revealed that Adlawan’s area of distribution is in Barangay Lipata and its neighboring barangays. — GMR (FREEMAN)