BY RUBY P. SILUBRICO
ILOILO City – Three towns in the province of Iloilo are “drug hotspots” hence in need of tight police monitoring.
Sara, Dumangas and Pototan are seriously drug-influenced, according to Senior Supt. Cornelio Salinas, Iloilo police director.
Dumangas is the most affected town because of the local port and one of the transshipment of illegal drugs, said Salinas, while Pototan and Sara have reported the presence of drug groups.
“The police chiefs of these towns would double their effort in arresting drug suspects and clear at least two villages at the end of August,” Salinas said.
Three drug groups distribute prohibited drugs in the province, according to police intelligence reports.
Recently, 30 police personnel were sent to the town of Sara to solve the robbery and drug-related problems in the said municipality.
“We are worried. Sara was where we arrested several drug personalities,” Salinas said.
The provincial director added that out of 375 barangays in the province, 82 are considered seriously drug-affected.
On Friday, Salinas summoned 82 village chiefs for a meeting.
“I’m calling the village chiefs to help our police. I’m also urging local chief executives and other concerned government agencies to help us,” Salinas said.
Personnel of the IPPO recently arrested drug peddlers in Barangay Zerrudo, Sara and recovered a big volume of shabu and unlicensed firearms.
The 39-year-old Melvin Braga, his companions Roel de Asis, 28, and Jhonjie Asada, 20, yielded 18 sachets of shabu, a .45 pistol, a .9mm Ingram machine pistol and ammunitions./PN
