The Police Regional Office (PRO) 6 mulls to dismantle all territorial anti-drug interim units in Iloilo City because they have been found ineffective after developing familiarity with the area residents.

In Iloilo City, these task forces are found in Brgy. Bakhaw, Mandurriao district; Brgy. Veterans Village and Brgy. Malipayon in the City Proper; and Brgy. Boulevard in Molo.

Chief Supt. Agrimero Cruz, PRO6 director, said that all personnel will be pulled out and replaced with more aggressive and skilled operatives who will form the Iloilo City Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force.

Still, personnel would be deployed in areas where there is perceived proliferation of illegal drugs.

Cruz said that the Iloilo CAIDTF will be under the Regional Anti-Illegal Drug Task Force (RAIDTF), which will operate against anti-illegal drugs anywhere in Western Visayas.

Cruz also plans to revitalize the anti-drug abuse councils from the regional down to the barangay level.

“We couldn’t do it alone. We need the help of every sector in our fight against illegal drugs,” he said.

BUY-BUST

Last Wednesday evening, a certain Edmond Lozañes, 30, was arrested by the Arevalo Police Station and Regional Anti-Illegal Drug Special Operations Group (RAIDSOG) after a buy-bust operation at Zone 11, Brgy. Calaparan, Arevalo district.

Found in his possession were 18 sachets of suspected shabu and P500 marked money.

Senior Inspector Lea Rose Peña, Arevalo police chief, said Lozañes admitted that he gets his supply from Bakhaw, a village which 10 years ago, gained the moniker “Iloilo City’s drug haven”.

This confession affirmed earlier reports that illegal drugs trade continues in Bakhaw despite the presence of the anti-illegal drug unit Task Force Bakhaw.

Last week, members of the Boracay Tourist Assistance Center (BTAC) arrested three persons for illegal drugs. 

Rona and Recson Espino, a native of Concepcion, Iloilo, and Vanessa Jaleco of Brgy. Bakhaw, Mandurriao, allegedly got their supply from Brgy. Bakhaw.*