Rama: Catch the ‘big fish’

Don’t settle for the small fry, go for the big fish.

Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama issued the challenge as he urged law enforcement agencies to arrest big-time drug pushers operating in the city.

The mayor’s challenge came after operatives of the City Intelligence Branch (CIB) raided a drug den in barangay Duljo-Fatima where five boys were among those caught sniffing shabu last Friday night.

Rama challenged the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), now headed by acting chief Senior Supt. Mariano Batiancela, to arrest a certain Jaguar, who is believed to be a big-time drug pusher in Duljo-Fatima.

“Taga diin si Jaguar? Ilado dira (From where is Jaguar? He’s known there). I have told Batiancela, go after that person. Kay ari tas mga gagmay, mga bata nya naa diay mga dagko. Dapat ari ta sugod sa hain ning ulo gyud (We run after the small ones, the minors but there are bigger ones. We should start where the head is),” Rama told reporters yesterday.

He also challenged Duljo-Fatima barangay captain Elmer Abella to confront the issue of illegal drugs in his barangay.

Officials of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) should also be more active in the anti-drug operations in the city which is why the mayor also ordered vice mayor Edgardo Labella, who heads the Police Coordinating and Advisory Council (PCAC), to be more involved.

Other officials like Cebu City south district Rep. Rodrigo Abellanosa, city councilor Gerardo Carillo and National Police Commission in Central Visayas (Napolcom-7)  regional director Homer Cabaral should also help in addressing illegal drugs activities in the area, Rama said.

Rama said one way of preventing drug dens from sprouting is to create more roads.

Supt. Romeo Santander, chief of CIB, said the police will submit a report to PCAC about the recent raid in Duljo-Fatima.

The report will include recommendations to barangay officials on how to address illegal drug problems in their areas.

Santander lamented that some barangay officials only show serious intent in the campaign against illegal drugs when an election is approaching.

Santander said the recent raid was part of the measures taken by the police to check the claims of Abella that a big-time drug pusher has stopped operating in the barangay.

Santander said the Oplan Pakigsandurot will be revived.

Santander said the responsibility to keep minors away from illegal drug use should start with the parents followed by barangay officials and the law enforcers.