REPORT BY MICHAEL MEDINA
THE Philippine Drug Enforcemnent Agency (PDEA) last week said they are “closely monitoring” the so-called backdoor routes of drug syndicates as they disclosed they are “strengthening their strategies” to combat the continued proliferation of illegal drugs.
PDEA Reg. Dir. Adzhar Albani disclosed that drug syndicates have been keeping their illicit transport of shabu under wraps through land, sea and air logistics.
During the Regional Peace and Order conference last week, Albani reported to the council that the usual drug routes have not changed and still tag along that of the integrated transport network system, from the National Capital Region down to the east-west nautical highways including that of Misamis provinces.
Down south, one can see the straight path from China in the west border and the Sandakan, Malaysia-Zamboanga Seaport link, which also involves Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi (BASULTA) areas.
So overwhelming were the interchange and the volume of drugs being transported in this network that the PDEA started to monitor closely those smuggling illegal drugs by large quantities.
By this appraisal, Albani said they have categorized Zamboanga del Sur as a “critical area” along with Sulu.
Albani further stated that PDEA’s “Task Force Foxtrot” is watching over Regions 9, 10 and ARMM over these illicit drug trafficking.
He added that drug trafficking in these areas is controlled mostly by locally based drug group and sometimes, by politicians acting as protectors and or drug lords.
Albani explained that PDEA’s assessment is consistent with that of intelligence reports received from their counterparts in the Philippine National Police (PNP) placing Zambosur and Sulu in equal level.
This is so because, as he affirmed, of the presence of armed groups affiliated with the locally-based drug organizations and the emerging narco-politics in their responsibility areas.
Albani adds that shabu “is still the number one choice of drug” in the region, presently with a prevailing price between P9,000-P11,000 per gram.
This increase in price, he said, is attributed to the pounding buy busts and raid operations jointly conducted by PDEA, PNP, NBI and the 53rd IB, which eventually lead to the dwindling supply of the illicit drugs.
To recall, in a press conference called by Gov. Aurora Cerilles last May, attended by Task Force Kontra Droga (TFKD) action officer and board member Ernesto Mondarte, the lawmaker claimed that they have suppressed circulation of shabu illegal in the province, resulting to the increase of shabu street price due to dwindling supply.
Prices have increased five times, from P100 per sachet to P500, said Mondarte, as evidenced by relentless entrapment and buy-bust operations against drug traffickers in identified barangays in Pagadian.
“The price now is high because of the diminishing supply,” Mondarte disclosed.
Mondarte adds the supply reduction and their strategy against shabu proliferation have been successful in the mentioned areas because they saturated the secondary and tertiary schools through information campaign on the dangers and effects of illegal drugs.
Likewise, the legislator said that he requested each town to activate their municipal anti drug abuse councils, which they did, and intensified advocacies on radio airtimes and media reports in the all out war against illegal drugs
“Nakita nato ang effect niining nanglabay nga confiscations, tungod sa scarcity sa supply, mimahal ang shabu. Magdungan ning supply and demand reduction and the community has done well, I hope kita tanan, with the parents and all sectors in the society will help flush out illegal drugs in our communities,” Mondarte said.
As of June 29, about 13 anti-drug operations have been conducted by the PDEA resulting to the arrest of 23 suspects and the confiscation of 247.77 grams of shabu with 25 cases filed against the alleged suspects.
As to the joint operations, 74 drug buy bust and raids have been effected resulting to the arrest of 117 suspects the confiscation of 132.4228 grams of shabu.
As to Cannabis or marijuana, PDEA has uprooted some 1,500 hemps worth P300,000 in Brgy. Punungan in Talipao, Sulu.
Cerilles, in her response to Albani’s report, said that she “was saddened in knowing that Zambosur is still considered as critical” despite the significant accomplishment of the authorities in the anti-drug campaign in the province.
“Honestly, you’ve heard about the accomplishment of Task Force Kontra Droga running after drug personalities in Zambosur. Their action has brought about the scarcity of drugs,” Cerilles said.
Even so, drug lords in the province are now “transferring,” added the governor, to which Albani corrected that some may have, to the so called “friendly areas.”
“Don’t worry maam, there’s no boundary limit in our campaign. We can cross those places and arrest those people. We only need to continue our coordination and the community’s participation and involvement,” Albani assured.
For his part, PNP Provincial Director Ramon Ochotorena, when asked by this paper what he thinks of the report, said the information was a good eye-opener.
“Nindot na aron ma-focus sad ang PDEA dinhi sa atoang probinsiya. As for the PNP, we also need to double our effort,” he said.
THE Philippine Drug Enforcemnent Agency (PDEA) last week said they are “closely monitoring” the so-called backdoor routes of drug syndicates as they disclosed they are “strengthening their strategies” to combat the continued proliferation of illegal drugs.
PDEA Reg. Dir. Adzhar Albani disclosed that drug syndicates have been keeping their illicit transport of shabu under wraps through land, sea and air logistics.
During the Regional Peace and Order conference last week, Albani reported to the council that the usual drug routes have not changed and still tag along that of the integrated transport network system, from the National Capital Region down to the east-west nautical highways including that of Misamis provinces.
Down south, one can see the straight path from China in the west border and the Sandakan, Malaysia-Zamboanga Seaport link, which also involves Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi (BASULTA) areas.
So overwhelming were the interchange and the volume of drugs being transported in this network that the PDEA started to monitor closely those smuggling illegal drugs by large quantities.
By this appraisal, Albani said they have categorized Zamboanga del Sur as a “critical area” along with Sulu.
Albani further stated that PDEA’s “Task Force Foxtrot” is watching over Regions 9, 10 and ARMM over these illicit drug trafficking.
He added that drug trafficking in these areas is controlled mostly by locally based drug group and sometimes, by politicians acting as protectors and or drug lords.
Albani explained that PDEA’s assessment is consistent with that of intelligence reports received from their counterparts in the Philippine National Police (PNP) placing Zambosur and Sulu in equal level.
This is so because, as he affirmed, of the presence of armed groups affiliated with the locally-based drug organizations and the emerging narco-politics in their responsibility areas.
Albani adds that shabu “is still the number one choice of drug” in the region, presently with a prevailing price between P9,000-P11,000 per gram.
This increase in price, he said, is attributed to the pounding buy busts and raid operations jointly conducted by PDEA, PNP, NBI and the 53rd IB, which eventually lead to the dwindling supply of the illicit drugs.
To recall, in a press conference called by Gov. Aurora Cerilles last May, attended by Task Force Kontra Droga (TFKD) action officer and board member Ernesto Mondarte, the lawmaker claimed that they have suppressed circulation of shabu illegal in the province, resulting to the increase of shabu street price due to dwindling supply.
Prices have increased five times, from P100 per sachet to P500, said Mondarte, as evidenced by relentless entrapment and buy-bust operations against drug traffickers in identified barangays in Pagadian.
“The price now is high because of the diminishing supply,” Mondarte disclosed.
Mondarte adds the supply reduction and their strategy against shabu proliferation have been successful in the mentioned areas because they saturated the secondary and tertiary schools through information campaign on the dangers and effects of illegal drugs.
Likewise, the legislator said that he requested each town to activate their municipal anti drug abuse councils, which they did, and intensified advocacies on radio airtimes and media reports in the all out war against illegal drugs
“Nakita nato ang effect niining nanglabay nga confiscations, tungod sa scarcity sa supply, mimahal ang shabu. Magdungan ning supply and demand reduction and the community has done well, I hope kita tanan, with the parents and all sectors in the society will help flush out illegal drugs in our communities,” Mondarte said.
As of June 29, about 13 anti-drug operations have been conducted by the PDEA resulting to the arrest of 23 suspects and the confiscation of 247.77 grams of shabu with 25 cases filed against the alleged suspects.
As to the joint operations, 74 drug buy bust and raids have been effected resulting to the arrest of 117 suspects the confiscation of 132.4228 grams of shabu.
As to Cannabis or marijuana, PDEA has uprooted some 1,500 hemps worth P300,000 in Brgy. Punungan in Talipao, Sulu.
Cerilles, in her response to Albani’s report, said that she “was saddened in knowing that Zambosur is still considered as critical” despite the significant accomplishment of the authorities in the anti-drug campaign in the province.
“Honestly, you’ve heard about the accomplishment of Task Force Kontra Droga running after drug personalities in Zambosur. Their action has brought about the scarcity of drugs,” Cerilles said.
Even so, drug lords in the province are now “transferring,” added the governor, to which Albani corrected that some may have, to the so called “friendly areas.”
“Don’t worry maam, there’s no boundary limit in our campaign. We can cross those places and arrest those people. We only need to continue our coordination and the community’s participation and involvement,” Albani assured.
For his part, PNP Provincial Director Ramon Ochotorena, when asked by this paper what he thinks of the report, said the information was a good eye-opener.
“Nindot na aron ma-focus sad ang PDEA dinhi sa atoang probinsiya. As for the PNP, we also need to double our effort,” he said.