BY RHENJIE MARIE CALANTAS
ILOILO City – The illegal drugs problem in Bakhaw, Mandurriao district has become alarming again, according to Barangay Captain Joel Alvarado.
In an interview with Panay News yesterday, Alvarado appealed for more assistance from the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO).
“Ang aton mga barangay tanod padayun nagabantay sa kalinong kag katawhay sang barangay (but) indi ‘ni namon masarangan nga kami lang,” said Alvarado.
Operatives of the Police Regional Office 6’s Regional Drug Enforcement Unit (RDEU) busted a drug den in Barangay Bakhaw on Jan. 25 and arrested 32 individuals.
They also seized suspected shabu valued at P918,000.
“Base sa aton na-obserbahan, kag ilabi na gid sa information nga ginahatag sa aton sang mga pumuluyo, mahambal naton nga daw alarming na,” said Alvarado.
Years back, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 6 described Barangay Bakhaw as the go-to place of drug pushers and users.
During the Duterte administration, however, from 2016 to 2022 there was lull in drug trafficking operations.
Now, Alvarado is again concerned. The barangay’s patrol team is not enough to deter drug ttraffickers, he lamented.
Police visibility would be a big help, said Alvarado.
Days before the RDEU operation on Jan. 25, many “outsiders” were seen entering the barangay at night and early morning, said Alvarado.
On Aug. 5, 2022, 22 ICPO cops were also detailed in Barangay Bakhaw following Alvarado’s request for police deployment. He observed that time that many outsiders were entering the area at night.
Mayor Jerry P. Treñas also expressed concern that Barangay Bakhaw is again becoming a hotbed of drug trafficking.
“I am ordering the police to conduct mobile checkpoints. Anti-drug operations should be continuous,” said Treñas./PN
