P800,000 illegal plants burned: Police raid Ifugao marijuana fields

TINOC, Ifugao -- More than P800,000 worth of marijuana due for harvest were burned by policemen who raided vast illegal plantations in this remote town.

Ifugao police officer in charge Supt. Ramil Saculles, who reviewed the operational environment of Tinoc town upon his assumption, said Tinoc town policemen led by Insp. Rodolfo Fateg raided Barangay Tulludan on August 27 with the help of village officials.

           

Some 4,000 fully grown marijuana plants were found in a 1,000 square meter plantation.

           

Meanwhile, in SitioApuyan in the same barangay, policemen destroyed four hundred pieces of fully grown marijuana valued at P80,000 in a 100-square meter plantation.

           

Farmers’ organization President Jose Mangibin Jr., Parent-Teacher Association President Leo B. Ullani and Barangay Chairman AlejoDulnuan certified the operation, said Supt. Saculles.

           

However, no cultivator was seized by the policemen but Saculles said, “the community approach through sustained information and continuing education will certainly address the culture of silence among villagers to testify against the perpetrator in the succeeding operations.”

           

The support of the barangay officials and "tanods" as force multiplier depicts a good partnership in our relentless campaign on illegal drugs, the police officer said.

           

Such successful operation inspires village officials and tanods to be more active in the enforcement of laws, added Saculles.

           

The Ifugao police hopes to reduce the supply and demand of marijuna and its derivatives in the province.