PDEA-7 spokesperson Leia Alcantara. | CDND photo / Emmariel Ares
CEBU CITY, Philippines – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Central Visayas (PDEA-7) will look into reports on the alleged involvement in illegal drugs by some of the candidates in the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE).
Leia Alcantara, the PDEA-7 spokesperson, said that with less a month before the BSKE that is slated on October 30, it was important that they look into these reports to determine its veracity or if these were just fabricated to damage the reputation of a particular candidate.
“We are intensifying our validation process. Very careful kaayo ta ana especially karong election period kay naa man gud uban, gamiton ang pag-report sa mga personalities para dauton. Naay political agenda ba, so very careful kaayo ta ana,” she said.
Alcantara said that their office have been getting tips on the alleged involvement of some BSKE candidates in Central Visayas in illegal drugs. Others are also being allegedly supported by drug personalities.
If the reports are proven true, Alcantara said that they will ensure the arrest of said individuals.
While they investigate, Alcantara is also urging the voters to be responsible in selecting their next barangay leaders.
“Amoa lang pud advise or siguro pag-agni namo sa public nga be discerning in the officials nga atong ielect. Naa man gud na sa atong mga kamot kung kinsay molingkod so let us be discerning,” she said.
Illegal drugs
Meanwhile, Alcantara said that a total of P49.7 million worth of illegal drugs were confiscated through the conduct of buy-bust operations in Central Visayas for the month of September 2023.
She said that a total of 479 buy-bust operations were made by PDEA-7, in coordination with other law enforcement agencies like the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), during the same period.
These operations also led to the arrest of 572 individuals.
Buy-bust operations
For the last nine months or from January to September 2023, law enforcement agencies in the region confiscated illegal drugs worth a total of P837 million in 4,272 operations and arrested 5,032 drug suspects.
During the same period last year, law enforcers in Central Visayas confiscated P993 million worth of illegal drugs.
Alcantara reported a slight drop in the volume of drugs that were confiscated from January to September 2023 as compared to the same period last year due to a slight drop in the market supply.
The PDEA-7 spokesperson said they will continue to monitor drug personalities and conduct buy-bust operations in order to further reduce, if not eradicate the supply of illegal drugs in the region. / dcb
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