RESIDENTS of Banacon Island need to be educated about the ill effects of prohibited substances, especially with the recent slay of their “patron”, alleged drug lord Rowen “Yawa” Secretaria.
Police Regional Director, Chief Supt. Patrocinio Comendador Jr. said some residents in the islet were traumatized after last Saturday’s police operation that killed Secretaria and two of his alleged cohorts.
“We have to go there and educate them about illegal drugs. We noticed that some people are still in shock with what happened,” he told reporters yesterday.
Comendador said they will coordinate with local government officials for the seminar.
Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 will conduct an anti-illegal drug seminar on Banacon Island in Getafe, Bohol to educate residents about the ill-effects of prohibited substances.
Secretaria was considered by the island residents as their “patron” as he provided them with electricity, food and money when they needed it. In exchange, Secretaria got the islanders’ loyalty.
Comendador said some island residents tolerated Secretaria’s illegal drug trade because of the food and electricity he provided to the island.
“They thought it’s okay to engage in drugs as long as they get what they need. That’s not right. And we are trying to win them back to the folds of law,” he said.
The Police Community Relations of PRO 7 was directed by Comendador to lead the seminar.
Operatives of the Regional Public Safety Battalion (RPSB) were sent to Banacon Island to diffuse the tension in the area and conduct a manhunt operation against Secretaria’s two brothers who are subjects of separate warrants of arrest for murder.
Secretaria and his two alleged cohorts — Dario Torremocia and John Jason Montes — were killed in an alleged shootout with operatives of the anti-drug agents on Banacon Island last Saturday.
Comendador said they fear that someone will take over from Secretaria and will manage his own illegal drug group.
“We will not let go of Banacon,” Comendador said.