‘Mt Province major transhipment point of illegal drugs in Cordillera’

Drug use becoming rampant 

By Angel Baybay

BONTOC, Mountain Province – The Provincial Peace and Order Council here has set measures to curb proliferation and use of illegal drugs in the province after provincial police officials said selling and use of the prohibited items was becoming rampant.

This, as the province remains a transhipment point of marijuana coming from other provinces in the region, said Supt. MarcialFa-ed who heads the provincial police Investigation Division during the PPOC meeting Wednesday. 

In the last quarter of last year, at least five people were reportedly nabbed transporting more or less seven kilos of dried marijuana leaves. 

“We admit having received reports regarding some youths using and selling illegal drugs particularly shabu,” said Fa-ed, adding no arrests were made relative to the use and sale of prohibited drugs but they have intensified surveillance to identify those involved.

The revelation caught some by surprise but not PPOC chairman Gov. Leonard Mayaen who said the admission only validated earlier information intimated to him by reliable sources. “That piece of information only corroborates what was told me by some people. I was informed that the use of shabu is becoming more prevalent among students,” the governor said.

With this, the PPOC agreed to focus on the problem before it spreads to alarming proportions. “We have to act now or else it would be late. I will be calling for a meeting particularly among law enforcers so that we can map out our next steps,” Mayaen said.

As agreed, the law enforcers shall provide the technical and manpower support while the PPOC will provide the financial backing.

Mayaen asked personnel of the provincial Scene of the Crime Operations to list equipment that would enable them make tests on suspects involved in drug-related crimes and accidents.

Provincial SOCO head Chief Insp. Emilia Calixto bared they will be asking for  procurement of drug testing kits and important gadgets.

New OIC provincial police director Cornelio Comila called on the people to cooperate with law enforcers so that the problem will be given solution the soonest possible time.

“The fight against drugs and other lawlessness could only be achieved through teamwork. Please help us,” said Comila who assumed his new position last week. Shabu, is slang for methamphetamine.  

It is usually in the form of an odorless crystal or crystalline powder, white in color and bitter in taste.  

As revealed by a recent United Nations report, shabu is the most used illegal drug in the Philippines.