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[av_heading heading=’Some barangay execs faking support – PDEA’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY MERIANNE GRACE EREÑETA
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ILOILO City – Some barangay officials are merely pretending to be supportive of the campaign against illegal drugs, according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
They cannot fool PDEA, said David Garcia, spokesperson of the agency in Western Visayas.
The city has 180 barangay captains. Garcia did not say how many are into illegal drugs either as pushers, users or coddlers.
“We are monitoring their movements,” he revealed.
Some, he added, are “indirectly” involved through their relatives.
“They’re not reproving their erring relatives and they don’t include them in their Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Council list of drug personalities,” said Garcia.
PDEA also knew of barangay councilmen involved in illegal drugs, he revealed.
“We are finding ways to take them down,” said Garcia without elaborating.
On the other hand, he commended barangay officials who are “tampad sa pag-away sa droga (sincere in fighting illegal drugs).”
“We can really see their enthusiasm. They constantly coordinate with us,” said Garcia.
He, however, did not identify these barangay officials.
Garcia also welcomed Congress’ decision to postpone the October 2016 barangay elections as proposed by President Rodrigo Duterte.
“The President believes drug money will be used in the elections,” said Garcia.
During a recent speech in Mindanao, Duterte said, “I am afraid drug money will seep into the electoral process.”
Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog recently raised concern over barangay captains lukewarm to the city government’s drug rehabilitation program.
In a reorientation and strengthening of Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils at the Jaro covered gym, he lamented that only a few participated in drug rehabilitation sessions and he took to task barangay officials.
The Iloilo City Police Office reported a total of 2,595 drug surrenderees./PN
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