BY RUBY P. SILUBRICO & JEN BAYLON
ILOILO City – The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) has achieved remarkable success in combating the illegal drug trade. A total of P274 million worth of illegal drugs were seized in 10 months of operations across the region.
From January to May, P88,030,809 worth of illegal substances were confiscated, while from June to October, the PRO-6 confiscated P185,932,833.
The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) had the highest worth of confiscation, with P90.4 million, followed by the Iloilo City Police Office, with P85.6 million.
On Oct. 17, the BCPO confiscated 3.2 kilos of shabu with an estimated street value of P20.53 million.
The illegal drugs were seized from a suspect identified as a certain Tata in a sting operation in Barangay Singcang Airport five days before the MassKara Festival.
The suspect was formerly detained at the New Bilibid Prison for drug-related charges. He was released after the court dismissed the case filed against him.
To further combat the proliferation of illegal drugs in the region, PRO-6 director Brigadier General Sidney Villaflor procured 15,000 drug test kits through the Philippine Anti-Drug Strategy Fund. This is to achieve 100 percent drug-tested police personnel.
Of the over 13,600 organic personnel who underwent drug tests so far, only three individuals tested positive for illegal substances. Administrative charges have already been filed against them.
“We cannot win this fight alone; we need the support of other government agencies and the communities to topple the supply and demand of illegal drugs in the region. Let us do our share in our fight against illegal drugs,” said Villaflor./PN
