Police seize P5.9-M ‘grass’ in Cordillera

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Police seized P5.9-million worth of marijuana plants and arrested one suspected cultivator during an eradication operation from December 17 to 23.
    The Police Regional Office Cordillera-Regional Operations Division said the suspect, a high-value individual, was arrested in Mountain Province.
    The suspect yielded 6,000 fully grown marijuana plants with a standard drug price of P1.2 million.

    Police also said that 23,500 fully grown marijuana plants worth P4.7 million were discovered in an eradication operation in the province of Benguet.
    Policemen from Kibungan, Benguet and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Cordillera agents also spent Christmas Day uprooting weed in town.
    Upon discovering three marijuana plantations in Sitio Bagiw, Tacadang, Kibungan, policemen on Monday noon uprooted and burned down around 1,375 fully grown marijuana planted at three different sites in the village, according to Cordillera police director Brig. Gen. David Peredo.
    The uprooted weed costs P275,000 in street value.
    Lawmen burned these marijuana plants after proper documentation.
    Follow-up operations were conducted to identify their cultivators.
 

Read more...

P6.4-M illegal drugs seized; four nabbed in Cordi PNP operations

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet – A total of P,461,600 worth of illegal drugs were seized while four drug suspects were arrested in Ifugao and Benguet on Dec. 13 to 14, the regional police information office said.
    Citing the reports submitted to Cordillera police director Brig. Gen. David K. Perredo Jr., the PIO said suspects were identified as Munib G. Boransing, 26; Faisolah D. Mangking, 29; Christopher L. Bacani, 22 and Monjewel S. Santos, 19, all residents of Poblacion, Cabanatuan City.
    The same report disclosed that Joint operatives of the Ifugao Police Provincial Office, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Ifugao, Regional Intelligence Unit 14, 1501st Maneuver Company Regional Mobile Force Battalion 15, and Kalinga PPO Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit arrested the suspects after they sold two plastic sachets of suspected shabu weighing around12 grams valued at P81, 600 to a cop who acted as buyer.
    The lawmen also seized from the suspects 17 bricks of dried marijuana leaves weighing 17 kilos worth P2,040,000 and 10 pieces of suspected dried marijuana leaves and fruiting tops weighing 10 kilos worth P1,200,000.
    The arrested suspects and confiscated items were brought to the custody of Lamut Municipal Police Station, Ifugao for documentation and disposition, while the suspects will be facing charges of violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
    Meanwhile, in separate marijuana eradication operations, a total of 15,500 pieces of fully grown marijuana plants worth P3,100,000 and 1,000 pieces of marijuana seedlings worthP40,000 were discovered in Bakun and Kibungan, Benguet.
    It was  uprooted, and burned at the plantation by elements of  Benguet police, RIU-14, PDEA-CAR and Regional Intelligence Division, while samples were taken for submission to the RFU-Cordillera for tests.

Read more...

Cops nab 13, seize P6-M illegal drugs in Cordillera

POLICE ROUNDUP

ERADICATION -- Authorities destroy a total of an estimated P2.1 million worth of marijuana plants and seedlings in San Gabriel town, La Union Nov. 7. On Nov. 8, Bugallon police in Pangasinan seized P837,420 worth of suspected shabu. (Photo courtesy of PRO-1)

P5.8-M marijuana bricks found on Kalinga road

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet -- Cordillera cops seized more than P197,000 worth of illegal drugs and nabbed 13 drug personalities in regional anti-illegal drugs operations Nov. 5-11.
    This, as police seized marijuana bricks worth P5.8 million found along the national highway here in Jangayoy, Barangay Dangoy, Tanudan Kalinga Monday, Nov. 20 bringing the total worth of illegal drugs captured in the region to around P6 million.
    Col. Freddie Lazona, provincial director of Kalinga Provincial Police Office, said personnel of the 2nd Kalinga Provincial Mobile Force Company received information that a male rider of a sport type XR 150 abandoned an army duffle bag in the vicinity of Jangayoy.
    Upon receipt of the information, police proceeded to the area and found an army duffle bag along the highway partly covered with leaves and branches of trees containing suspected marijuana bricks.
    An onsite inventory yielded 49 bricks of alleged dried marijuana leaves weighing around 49,000 grams valued at P5,880,000.
    The recovered marijuana bricks were brought to Lubuagan police station for documentation and later brought to Kalinga police provincial forensic unit for examination.
    The police regional public information office, citing the records from the Regional Operations Division, said the 13 drug suspects from other parts of the region were arrested in possession of 27.52 grams of shabu worth P197,075.60.
    The same report bared eight arrests were made by Benguet Police Provincial Office, followed by the Baguio City Police Office with two and one each for Ifugao and Kalinga PPOs.
    Suspects were identified as Jimran D Elias, 27; Roldan Elias, 36; Edgar Garino; 28; Elvis Mocate, 35; Christian Beneyat, 26; Clarence Gunday, 42; Griffin Keith Sobremo, 25; Joshua L Moling, 21; John Mark Orata, 18; John G Basungit, 50; Arnold Austria, 25; Ryan Zamora, 27 and Nolasco Dangayo, 36.
    All arrested suspects and confiscated pieces of evidence were brought to offices of  arresting units, while charges for illegal drugs were prepared against them.
    Meanwhile, in a marijuana eradication operation in Benguet, two marijuana plantation sites with 920 pieces of fully grown marijuana plants valued at P184,000 were discovered in Kibungan town.
    All discovered marijuana plants were uprooted and burned in plantation sites  by the lawmen who investigated to identify marijuana cultivators.
    Cordillera police director Brig. Gen. David K, Peredo cited arresting police for the arrests urging other units to intensify anti-drugs operations.

 Police seize P2.9-M shabu,  marijuana in LU, P’sinan

By Hilda Austria 

MALASIQUI, Pangasinan – Authorities seized an estimated P837,420 worth of suspected methamphetamine, locally called shabu, in Bugallon town, Pangasinan and destroyed around P2.1 million worth of marijuana in San Gabriel town, La Union night of Nov. 8.
    In a phone interview on Thursday, Bugallon police officer-in-charge Maj. Ramsey Canaban said the estimated 123.15 grams of suspected shabu was seized from Ken Mark Prado Bustillos, 31, after police officers, armed with a search warrant, went to his home in Barangay Umanday Wednesday night.
    “He was identified as a drug personality, as a street pusher, but not a high-value target. He was being monitored by our intelligence unit and we did not expect the amount of illegal drugs confiscated from him,” he said.
    Canaban said the suspect is reportedly supplying illegal drugs to other parts of the province and sources his supply from the National Capital Region.
    Aside from the illegal drugs, some live ammunition were also seized from the suspect.
    Meanwhile, the La Union Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit and other law enforcement agencies discovered a marijuana plantation in Sitio Nakawa, Barangay Lon-oy, San Gabriel town, La Union on Nov. 7.
    Lt. Col. Benigno Sumawang, chief of Regional Public Information Office of the Ilocos Police Regional Office (PRO-1), said the operation resulted in the destruction of PHP2.1 million worth of marijuana plants and seedlings.
    “There were a total of 8,500 pieces of fully grown marijuana plants and 10,500 marijuana seedlings from a total land area of 1,950 square meters,” he said. -- PNA

‘Tanod’ nabbed for selling P68-K shabu in Abra

PIDIGAN, Abra -- A barangay tanod listed as a high-value drug personality was arrested for selling around P68,000 worth of shabu to a cop here on Nov. 14.
    Reports submitted to Cordillera police director Brig. Gen. David K. Peredo Jr. identified the arrested suspect as Jimmy Sumalnap Dela Rosa, Jr., 40 of Pidigan, Abra.
    Elements of Abra Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit, Abra Provincial Intelligence Unit, and Pidigan Municipal Police Station arrested suspect Dela Rosa at Sitio Nagdaingan, Pangtud, Pidigan, after he sold two sachets of suspected "shabu" weighing 10.1 grams valued at P68,680 to a cop who posed as buyer.
    Dela Rosa and confiscated items were brought to the Abra PPO PDEU office where charges for illegal drugs were prepared against him. 

Cops seize P2.M drugs in Baguio, Benguet; 2 nabbed 

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet -- -- A total of P2,008,092 worth of illegal drugs was seized, while two drug personalities were busted in anti-illegal drugs operations conducted in Baguio City and Benguet Nov. 16, the regional police public information office bared. 
    Police reports submitted to Cordillera police director Brig. Gen. David K. Peredo Jr. identified arrested suspects as Randolph Castañeda Doria, 42, of Lower Quirino Hill Barangay, Baguio and Diokno Dilapi Tolingan, 34 of Sitio Paykek, Balili, Mankayan, Benguet.
    Baguio police arrested Doria at Rizal Park after he sold a sachet of suspected shabu weighing 0.65 grams worth P4,420.00 to a cop who acted as buyer.
    Meanwhile, in Balili, Mankayan, Tolingan was arrested by anti-illegal drugs operatives of the Benguet Police Provincial Office after he sold a sachet of suspected shabu weighing 0.28 grams worth P1,904 to a cop who also acted as buyer at Sitio Pangkikan, Balili
    During his arrest, another sachet of suspected shabu weighing 0.26 grams worth P1,768 was confiscated from him.
    All arrested suspects and confiscated items were brought to respective arresting units, while charges for illegal drugs were prepared against them.
    This, as Benguet cops discovered and burned a total of 10,000 pieces of fully grown marijuana plants valued at P2,000,000 in the town of Kibungan.

MARIJUANA BRICKS -- Police make an inventory of 49 bricks of dried marijuana leaves, weighing around 49,000 grams, with an estimated value of P5,880,000 recovered at Sitio Jangayoy, Barangay Dangoy, Lubuagan, Kalinga Nov. 20. (Photo from PNP Lubuagan)

Read more...

P21-M drugs seized in Cordillera; 6 nabbed

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet – Police seized a total of P21,220,220 worth of illegal drugs while eight drug personalities were arrested Nov. 19 to 25, the regional police information office bared.
    Records from the Regional Operations Division, eight drug personalities were arrested after being caught in possession of 19.15 grams of suspected shabu worth P130,220.
    The report identified those arrested as Danilo Cuengan, 38 and Hadjie Golming,39, both listed as by police as ‘high value individuals:’ Reymalth Liwayan, 34; Renor Togasi, 41; Hulden Bangcolen, 31; Darnelly Klay Dimoloy, 21; Amrodi Disuma, 32 and Joel Arzadon, 41.
    The arrested suspects and confiscated items were brought to respective arresting units, while charges for illegal drugs were filed against suspects.
    Meanwhile, in marijuana eradication operations, 14 marijuana plantations with a total of 73,950 pieces of fully grown marijuana plants and 4,500 marijuana seedlings worth P21,090,000 were discovered in Benguet and Kalinga.
    These were all burned by lawmen while probe is on to identify marijuana cultivators.
    Police doing marijuana eradication and information drives in barangays as part of  PNP campaign against illegal drugs.
 
 

Read more...

P12-M marijuana seized in Isabela buy-bust; 4 nabbed

 Kalinga plantation yields P5.3-M ‘grass’ 

By Vince Jacob Visaya

QUEZON, Isabela -- Police seized P12 million worth of dried marijuana bricks from four alleged drug dealers in a buy-bust in Purok 1, Abut village here, on Tuesday, Nov. 28.
    Col. Julio Go, provincial police director of Isabela, said that four suspects from nearby Tabuk City in Kalinga were caught selling the items to a poseur-buyer.
    Operatives of the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG) in Isabela and Kalinga seized the marijuana bricks Tuesday.
    At least 100 kilos of marijuana worth P12 million were confiscated in Barangay Abut, PDEG director Col. Dionisio Bartolome Jr. said.
    Arrested were Troy Balloc, 32; August Malnag, 28; Ericson Wacnang, 25 and Jesrael Maggongoy, 18.
    Police said the confiscated 66 marijuana bricks were found inside six boxes.
    Also seized from the suspects were a caliber 9-mm gun, a magazine and the buy-bust money.
    The suspected drug dealers were brought to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Group Special Operations Unit 2, while the confiscated items were brought to the PNP Crime Laboratory in Roxas, Isabela, for testing.
    In Kalinga, marijuana plants worth P5.3 million were uprooted and burned in Barangay Butbut Proper in Tinglayan.
 

Read more...

Fast facts about drug addiction

WELLNEWS

Victor Dumaguing

BAGUIO CITY -- Addiction is a disease that impairs the free will and decision-making abilities of those affected, a chronic relapsing disorder characterized by intense craving, compulsive seeking and urgent use of a particular substance no matter what the cost and risk involved in its acquisition. It is considered as a brain disorder because it disrupts functional changes to brain circuits or connections responsible for reward, comfort, stress and self-control. The scenario of this brain dysfunction is dramatically manifested among people addicted to drugs.
    The PDEA is a member of the Dangerous Drug Board and is working double time to deal with the problem considering that as of today, drug cartels even from some of our neighboring Southeast Asian countries have established connections with locals plus the disturbing reality that the Philippines, because of its strategic location has become a transit point for drug distribution. In US and Western Europe, drugs from cartels in Columbia, Peru and Mexico have been a big government headache on how to control their transport and usage.
    From the standpoint of pharmacology, drugs or more specifically, the dangerous, prohibited addicting drugs can be classified either as " downers" or " uppers". As the name implies, downers are those that cause drowsiness, decreased sensitivity to outside stimuli, lethargy, some numbness thus, the person claims to feel less pain.
    Thus, drugs like sedative tranquilizers, sleeping pills belong to this class.
    During the 60s and 70s, teenagers would pop a tablet of Metaqualone or Quaalude and claim that all their pains- physical and emotional - are diminished. Keen observers say that the users of downers have a typical look- drooping eyelids, "stoned withdrawn, isolated posture," and if the eyes are flashed with light, the pupils would be extremely constricted.
    On the other hand, users of " uppers" would have blood- shot eyes- which explains why even in the dark, they were dark glasses - plus a fully dilated pupil which causes photopobia- avoidance of bright light because of the discomfort and even pain it causes. Chronic users of uppers have dry gums and most of the time, dental carries. Uppers give the user euphoria- heightened sense of well-being, which explains the need to frequently obtain the drug.
    As the name implies, it activates the sensorium of the person, that's why users show facial expression of contentment and blissful happiness as they listen to the music, with their claim that they hear all the instruments in the orchestra playing or that colors become vividly clear in a painting. Some baby boomers, would honestly and casually mention having tried popping a pill or tablet of Benzedrine or Dexedrine to try the supposed high provided by these amphetamines, especially if they belong to the so-called " Flower People" born during the Age of Aquarius.
    The Beatles got into some kind of trouble with their song, Lucy in the Sky with her Diamonds. Moralists and some high-ranking church personalities berated the boys from Liverpool for exulting the addicting effects of LSD- or lysergic acid diethylamine, for the striking resemblance of letters of the song with the substance.
    Metamphetamine or more popularly known as shabu, has been the main course in the legal menu of the PDEA openly admitted, shabu has become a perennial headache of law-enforcement agencies for the simple reason that shabu can be made by anyone with a basic knowledge of chemistry, and may be produced in a basic laboratory facility.
    To make matters worse, the precursor chemicals or ingredients are quite easy also to obtain. Government agencies like Bureau of Customs and even airports as well as ports all over the country are working very closely with the PNP and NBI to closely monitor the activity of the perpetrators of the drug menace, including inspection of incoming cargoes, surveillance as well as observation of behavior of drug pushers as their intended consumer-users. 
    Moreover, there is a concerted efforts of concerned agencies to allay the fears and doubts of some citizens as to where captured drugs go- there is proper inventory and classification of the drug, properly stored, carefully guarded and again a strict inventory of the quality and quantity of the captured drug before they are burned in an appropriate incinerator.
    Recent scientific advances in the neurobiology of addiction, particularly drug or substance abuse, has shed encouraging and hopeful developments with detailed presentation of cases as well as treatment strategies on top of public health-focused response to increase awareness and access to support groups to reduce and remove the stigma of drug addiction with a collective mission to bring the patients back to normal healthy functional and productive members of society.
 

Read more...

Cops confiscate P130-K narra lumber in Kalinga

POLICE ROUNDUP 

TANUDAN. Kalinga – Police seized more than P130- K worth of illegally sawn lumber here in Sitio Patakalig, Lower Taloctoc on Oct. 26, the regional police information office bared.
    Reports submitted to Cordillera police director Brig. Gen. David K, Peredo Jr. said Tanudan police led by Capt. Florand O. Sim received information from Community Environment and Natural Resources Office Tabuk about abandoned illegally sawn lumber found along the riverbank in Patakalig.
    Police and CENRO-Tabuk personnel went to the area and found 270.16 board feet of narra lumber worth P135,080.
    The recovered lumber were brought to CENRO-Tabuk while investigation is on to identify and charge loggers for illegal logging.
    Kalinga police urged folks to report illegal activities to authorities to protect natural resources.
 

P81-K shabu seized in Buguias; 3 men held

BUGUIAS, Benguet -- A total P81,600 worth of shabu was seized from three drug personalities arrested in buy-bust operation by cops at here Sitio Km 73, Barangay Amgaleyguey on Nov. 2. 
    Reports submitted to Cordillera police director Brig. Gen. David K. Peredo Jr. identified arrested suspects as Marvin Baresto Cudlas, 40; Rodel Martin Andres, 29 and Randy Rebas Manganip 36.
    The regional police information office said elements of Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit, Buguias Municipal Police Station, PDEG SOU-14, RIU14, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 15 and Baguio City Police Office arrested suspect Cudlas after he sold a sachet of suspected "shabu" weighing around five grams worth P34,000 to a lawman who acted as buyer.
    Police confiscated another sachet of suspected "shabu," weighing five grams P34,000 from him.     Meanwhile, two sachets containing two grams of suspected shabu worth P13,600 were seized from Andres and Manganip.
    Inventory of seized items was witnessed by suspects, Joemar Sacpa of Z Radio and kagawad Rudy Waclin of Amgaleyguey. 
    The arrested suspects and seized items were brought to custody of Buguias police while charges for violation of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Acts of 2002, was prepared against the suspects.
 

Read more...

P170-K shabu, guns, bullets seized in MP

PARACELIS, Mountain Province – A total of P170,000 worth of illegal drugs was seized from a drug personality when police implemented two search warrants here in Sitio Central, Barangay Poblacion Nov. 7, the regional police information office said.
    Reports submitted to Cordillera police director Brig. Gen. David K. Peredo Jr. identified the suspect as Clarence Chongawen Gunday, 42.

    The report said elements of Mountain Province Police Provincial Office, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Mountain Province, and Regional Intelligence Division, implemented search warrants for illegal drugs and firearms in Gunday’s house.
    Gunday was arrested by authorities after they discovered from his residence 10 sachets of suspected shabu weighing 25 grams and worth P170,000, drug paraphernalia, Cal. 22 rifle with scope and silencer, Cal. 22 revolver and various ammunition.
    The markings and inventory of confiscated items were witnessed by the suspect and barangay kagawads of Poblacion Luis C. Dontogan and David L. Bucad including media representative Daryle C. Fayofay.
    The suspect and confiscated firearms were taken in custody by Paracelis Municipal Police Station, while the seized drug was held by PDEA Mountain Province for disposition.
 

Read more...

Mt Province drug rehab center to cater to more clients in Cordillera

By Liza Agoot 

TADIAN, Mountain Province – A Dept. of Health-managed drug rehabilitation facility here can fully cater to more patients in Cordillera once it gets the license to offer additional services such as in-patient dormitory by 2024.
    The one-hectare land area facility at the Luis Hora Memorial Regional Hospital in Bauko, Mountain Province started operations in the first quarter this year and have around 42-45 staff.
    "From the second self-assessment conducted, we have already complied with all the requirements for a permit to be issued. We hope to receive the permit before the end of the year so that we can provide additional services to the clients,” said Randy Samonte, supervising administrative officer of the Drug Addiction Treatment and Rehabilitation Center-Mountain Province (DATRC-MP), in a briefing in Baguio City on Thursday.
    The permit to operate is issued by the DOH central office.
    Samonte said they have limited services to date and the facility is authorized to cater to clients from Benguet, Mountain Province, and Ifugao only. 
    The nearest DOH-managed drug rehabilitation facility is in San Fabian, Pangasinan.
    Currently, the facility provides technical assistance on substance abuse prevention and mental health, proactive advocacies on substance abuse prevention and mental health, drug dependency examination, and monitoring drug testing.
    Samonte said that once the permit is issued, DATRC-MP will be able to expand its services to providing accredited services like community advocacies, aftercare programs, technical assistance, drug dependency examination for persons using drugs, management of medical emergencies and minor surgical procedures, management of co-occurring psychiatric conditions, psychological testing, therapeutic counseling, case management, group therapy session, physical assessment, health education, drug testing, nutrition management for drug dependents, family intervention and psychoeducation, life skills and livelihood training, spiritual and religious activities, and the intake and psychosocial assessment and counseling.
    “As soon as we receive the permit, we hope to reach Kalinga, Apayao, and Abra,” he added.
    Samonte said DATRC-MP is the first and only government facility in the Cordillera that caters to persons who used drugs (PWUDs) and is now 70 percent ready to perform the mandate for which it was established. -- PNA
 

Read more...

Man yields P19.9-M MJ in Tabuk in hot pursuit

TABUK CITY – Police arrested a suspected drug pusher who was found carrying approximately P19.9 million worth of marijuana during a hot pursuit operation in Kalinga on Monday, Oct. 23.

    In a statement, PNP-Kalinga identified the suspect as Benjamin Fajardo Bauto, a resident of Concepcion Zaragoza, Nueva Ecija.
It was reported that Bauto's white van evaded a checkpoint in Tabuk City, prompting law enforcement to initiate a hot pursuit operation which led to the apprehension of the suspect at the next checkpoint.
    Confiscated from the suspect were 156 bricks of dried marijuana leaves and stalks weighing 156 kilograms and 20 more in tubular form, each weighing 500 grams.
    The report also said street value of confiscated cannabis was around P19.9 million.
    Tabuk police earlier received a report from the Lubuagan town police station that a Toyota Hiace van evaded a Commission on Elections checkpoint in Barangay Dinakan, Lubuagan.
    Police set up a checkpoint and arrested Bauto, the driver of the van.
    Police Capt. Ruff Manganip, Kalinga Police Provincial Office spokesperson, said Bauto was high-value target of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
    Seized from Bauto were 156 dried marijuana bricks weighing one kilo each valued at P18.720 million and 20 tubular dried marijuana leaves weighing 500 grams worth P1.2 million.
    Manganip said the suspect and contraband are under police custody.
    Following the arrest, the suspect was taken into custody at the Tabuk City Police Station where charges for illegal drugs were prepared against him.  

Read more...

30 wanted persons nabbed; no crime in 60 Cordi towns

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet -- Cordillera police arrested 30 wanted persons even as 60 municipalities in the region recorded zero crime Oct. 15 to 21.
    Based on records of Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division of PRO Cordillera, Baguio City Police Office recorded the highest number of arrests, with 13, followed by Kalinga Police Provincial Office with six; Benguet PPO with five; Ifugao and Abra PPOs with two each and Mountain Province with one, the regional police information office said.
    Of those nabbed, four were listed most wanted persons of whom two are listed at provincial level, one city level and one municipal.
    During the same week, 60 town in the region and two police stations in Baguio City recorded zero crime incidents.
    Zero crime incidents were recorded in 23 municipalities in Abra; six in Apayao; nine, Benguet; six, Kalinga; eight each in Ifugao and Mountain Province and two police stations in Baguio City.
    Cordillera cops are continuously conducting intensified police operations, police visibility, and community engagement in preparation for the barangay and Sanguniang Kabataan elections on Oct. 30
 

P6.7-M illegal drugs seized in Cordillera Region; six arrested

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet -- Cordillera cops seized P6,743,604 million worth of illegal drugs and nabbed six drug personalities in anti-illegal drug operations Oct. 15–21in he region.
Records of PRO Cordillera Regional Operations Division, bared the six suspects were arrested in possession of 9.13 grams of shabu worth P62,084, the regional police information office said.

The report said three arrests were made by Baguio City Police Office, followed by the Benguet Police Provincial Office, Abra and Ifugao PPOs.

Suspects were identified as Abdullah Lawi, 30; Teeven Dumeg, 22; Diana Manggad, 33; Felix Biwag Jr., 41; Gyver Cayatoc, 33 and Mc Nicko Martin, 30.

All arrested suspects and confiscated pieces of evidence were brought to their respective arresting units, while charges for violating Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, were prepared against them.

Meanwhile, in marijuana eradication operations, 19 marijuana plantation sites with 33,350 fully grown marijuana plants and 900 seedlings valued at P 6, 681, 520 were discovered in the provinces of Benguet and Kalinga. 

These were all burned by police after documentation.

Police are investigating to identify planters of the illegal drug.

The PIO said police are conducting barangay visitation and information drives against illegal drugs.

P20.6-M marijuana seized in Cordillera

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet -- Cordillera cops arrested a drug personality and seized P20,600,000 worth of marijuana in anti-illegal drugs operations in Kalinga and Benguet on Oct. 23.
    In Kalinga, the Provincial Police Office, Regional Intelligence Division, and Regional Mobile Force Battalion 15 pursued an individual driving his vehicle after he evaded checkpoint at Sitio Dinakan, Barangay Dangoy, Lubuagan.
    Police caught up and nabbed the suspect, who was identified as Benjamin Fajardo Bauto, of Callanan, Tabuk City.
    The suspect was arrested with 156 kilograms of marijuana bricks in hgis possession including 10 kilos of marijuana leaves and stalks worth P19,920,000 loaded in his vehicle.
    Bauto and seized items were brought to Tabuk City Police Station for documentation and proper disposition, where charges for illegal drugs were filed against the suspect.
    Meanwhile, in Benguet, a total of 400 fully grown marijuana plants and five kilos of dried marijuana stalks with fruiting tops worth P680,000 were discovered and burned at Sitio Mocgao, Kibungan, Benguet. Kibungan Municipal Police Station cops said two marijuana plantation sites were found in the area.
    After documentation, all discovered marijuana plants were uprooted and burned on-site.
    Investigations is on to identify cultivators of marijuana plants.
 

Read more...

Bontoc bocap bet nabbed for shabu, gun, ammunition

 BONTOC, Mountain Province -- Police and anti-narcotics agents nabbed a candidate for punong barangay (village chief) after P400,000 worth of shabu and other drug paraphernalia were found and seized in his residence at Barangay Alab here recently.
    Col. Sibly Dawigey, provincial police director named the suspect as Alex Pilingan Baltero.
    The suspect was arrested when search warrant was implemented by lawmen in his residence, which resulted in the seizure of illegal drugs valued at P390,626.
    Also seized from Baltero's residence were assorted drug paraphernalia and a Cal. 9mm pistol with several bullets.
    Baltero and seized items were brought to the Bontoc Municipal Police Station for documentation and safekeeping.
    Charges for violation of pertinent provisions of Republic Act 9165 or the "Comprehensives Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002" and RA 10591 or the "New Firearms Regulations Act," were prepared by police against Baltero.

Read more...

10 held in Sadanga checkpoint with P2 million marijuana

SADANGA, Mountain Province -- Ten suspected drug couriers were arrested for allegedly attempting to sneak out marijuana with an estimated value of P2 million here last week.
    The suspects were in a Toyota Hi-Ace van when they were apprehended at a checkpoint in Barangay Poblacion in Sadanga town at around 7 p.m. on Oct., according to Brig. Gen. David Peredo, Cordillera police director.
    Peredo identified the suspects as Wendel Alvarado, 20; Jon Paulo Bolivar, 29; Jaycee Cayanan, 21; Erika Javiero, 24; Cherry Ann Lomibao, 24; Jade del Mundo,19; Joseph Padayao Jr., 29; Paulo Segismundo, 32; Bien Velasquez, 22, and Christopher Zabala, 23.
    Police said that during inspection, they found dried marijuana bricks and tubes in the suspects’ bags.
 

Read more...

2 nabbed for drugs; P900K MJ burned

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet – Police cops arrested two women and seized P912,800 in anti-illegal drugs operations Oct. 17 in Cordillera.
    Reports to regional police director Brig. Gen. David K. Peredo identified those arrested as Diana Manggad, 33 and Moraine Caile Tabios Ricablanca, 21.
    Manggad was nabbed in Abra by elements of Abra Police Provincial Office, Regional Mobile Force Battalion 15 and Regional Intelligence Unit-14 in Barangay Gangal, Sallapadan, after she sold a sachet of suspected shabu weighing 0.9 grams worth P6,000 to a police officer who acted as buyer.
    Ricablanca was arrested in Baguio City by elements of Baguio City Police Office, Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit and RIU-14 after she sold a sachet of a gram of suspected shabu worth P 6, 800 to a cop.
    The suspects and confiscated pieces of evidence were brought to the custody of their respective operating units where charges for violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 were prepared against them.
    Meanwhile, cops, seized and burned 4, 500 fully-grown marijuana plants worth P900,000 discovered in two plantation sites in Barangay Tacadang, Kibungan, Benguet.
    All marijuana plants were uprooted and burned at the sites.
    Investigation is on to identify cultivators.
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Read more...

31 wanted persons nabbed in Cordillera; no crime in 57 towns

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet -- Thirty-one wanted persons, four of them listed as most wanted persons were arrested, while 57 towns in the region recorded zero crime incidents Sept 24. to 30, the regional police public information office said.
    Based on records from the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division, Baguio City Police Office had highest number of arrests, with 12, followed by the Benguet Police Provincial Office with nine; Ifugao PPO, 5; Abra and Kalinga PPOs with two each and Mountain Province with one.
    Of the four MWPs, three were most wanted personalities at municipal level with one provincial.
    Meanwhile, as a result of the intensified police presence, 57 municipalities in the region and two police stations in Baguio City recorded zero crime incidents in these areas during the same week.
    Zero crime incidents were recorded in 23 municipalities in Abra, seven towns in Benguet; Kalinga, 5; Ifugao, 8; Mountain Province. 8 and six in Apayao.
    In Baguio, Naguilian Aurora Hill police station also recorded zero crime incidents out of 10 police stations in Baguio City.

Baguio eyes new tactic in anti-drug campaign 

By Gaby B. Keith

BAGUIO CITY -- This city is implementing new methodology and different approach in its ongoing anti-drug campaign.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong told the city hall officials, employees and guests during flag-raising ceremony a few days back that he was referring to an insight he learnt when he attended a Coalition Against Illegal Drugs seminar in Dallas, Texas last July.
The mayor said the new anti-illegal drug approach focuses on "demand reduction."
    "That's the reason why prior to my foreign travel, I decided to hold in abeyance the city's strategic planning on anti-drugs program for 2024 because we would like to get new ideas and concepts for us to be able to change our 'business as usual' approach on illegal drugs, especially now that things have changed and we have a new environment," said Magalong.
    Mayor Benjamin Magalong told the city hall officials, employees and guests during flag-raising ceremony a few days back that he was referring to an insight he learnt when he attended a Coalition Against Illegal Drugs seminar in Dallas, Texas last July.
    The mayor said the new anti-illegal drug approach focuses on "demand reduction."
    "That's the reason why prior to my foreign travel, I decided to hold in abeyance the city's strategic planning on anti-drugs program for 2024 because we would like to get new ideas and concepts for us to be able to change our 'business as usual' approach on illegal drugs, especially now that things have changed and we have a new environment," said Magalong.
    The mayor revealed that the city government has "practically and significantly" reduced the number of drug-affected villages in the Summer Capital.
    "Kaya kailangan na rin nating baguhin iyong ating mga approaches at hindi pwede iyong dati nating ginagawa in the past several years (We really need to change our approach because the previous ones are no longer reliable)," he stressed.
    Magalong stressed the city needs to rationalize its anti-illegal drugs campaign and introduce new methodologies and approaches, especially in the aspect of demand reduction.
 

Ifugao police test negative for drugs

LAGAWE, Ifugao – A total of 170 police officers of Ifugao Police Provincial Office and 1501st Maneuver Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 15 were tested for drugs and all of them yielded negative results. 
    Lt. Col. Joseph B. Cayat, officer-in-charge of Ifugao PPO, said police officers were randomly selected during accounting of personnel.
    Testing was administered by the Ifugao Provincial Forensic Unit here in Camp Dunuan Sept. 29.
All urine specimens collected reportedly yielded negative results for methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) and marijuana, both dangerous drugs, the regional public information office said. 
    The regular random drug test is being administered to PNP personnel as part of Internal Cleansing Program of the Philippine National Police and with drug-free workplace.
 

Read more...

3 marijuana cultivators surrender in Baguio City

BAGUIO CITY -- Three suspected marijuana cultivators surrendered to the police here Tuesday, Sept. 26, the regional police information office said.
    Reports submitted to Cordillera police director Brig. Gen. David K. Peredo Jr. identified suspects as Jerry Rosendo Tagaplaan, 20; Emmong Martines Palinas, 55 and Elvis Matis Modes, 53.
    Reports said elements of Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit, Regional Intelligence Unit-14, Provincial Intelligence Unit and Baguio City Police Office served warrants of arrest against the suspects after they were surrendered by their lawyer Jose Mencio Molintas.
    Warrants of arrest were issued on April 12, 2023, by Orville C. Palisoc, presiding judge of First Judicial Region, Branch 25,     Tagudin Ilocos Sur, for violating Section 16, Article II of R.A. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
    They were suspected marijuana cultivators within the tri-boundaries of the provinces of Benguet, La Union and Ilocos Sur.
    All arrested suspects were brought to regional police headquarters in Camp Dangwa, La Trinidad, Benguet for disposition and documentation, the PIO said.

 

 

Read more...

P3.4 million marijuana torched in Tinglayan

POLICE AND DRUG ENFORCEMENT agents burn marijuana plants in Tinglayan, Kalinga last week.

TINGLAYAN, Kalinga -- — Marijuana plants with an estimated market value of P3.4 million were destroyed here last week.
    Agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Cordillera and the local police simultaneously raided two plantations with a total land area of 17,000 square meters in Barangay Butbut.
    The operations were part of the agency’s continuing drive against marijuana production and trade.
    No one was arrested during the raid, said PDEA-Cordillera director Julius Paderes.
    The agents torched the marijuana at the site.

 43 wanted persons nabbed; 64 Cordi towns zero crime

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet – Police arrested 43 wanted persons, including nine listed as most wanted persons, while 64 Cordillera towns recorded zero crime incidents Sept. 10 to 16, the police regional public information office bared.
    Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division records bared Benguet Police Provincial Office recorded highest number of arrests, with 16, followed by Baguio City Police Office and Ifugao PPO with nine each, Mountain Province and Apayao PPOs with three each, Abra PPO with two and Kalinga PPO with one.
    Of the nine MWPs, three were most wanted at provincial level, five municipal and one city level.
    Meanwhile, due to intensified police presence, 64 municipalities in different provinces of the region and three police stations in Baguio City recorded zero crime incidents in these areas same week.
    Zero crime incidents were recorded in 23 municipalities in Abra, nine in Benguet; 10, Ifugao; 10, Mountain Province, six, Apayao, and seven in Kalinga. 
    In Baguio City, Legarda, Aurora Hill and Kennon Road also recorded zero crime incidents out of 10 police stations in Baguio City. 

11 nabbed; P5-M up illegal drugs seized in Cordillera PNP drive

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet -- Cordillera cops seized a total of P5,432,152 worth of illegal drugs and nabbed 11 drug personalities in separate anti-illegal drug operations conducted Sept. 10–16 in the region, he regional police information office bared.
    Records from the police Cordillera Regional Operations Division bared the 11 drug personalities were arrested after they were caught in possession of 9.14 grams of shabu worth P62,152.00.
    The same report said four arrests were made by Baguio City Police Office, followed by Benguet Police Provincial Office, Abra and Ifugao PPOs with two arrests each, and one by Regional Drugs Enforcement Unit. 
    Arrested were Kevin Cabbat, 25; Lydren Salvador, 25; Leovino Alegria,  37;  Nicholson Ngolab, 34; Dante Panelo, 54; Jhayzee Michaels Jacinto, 20;  Benito Binaliw, 35; Tristan Steve Wong, 20; Shirley Bautista, 69; Bethel Maguen De Los Santos,  21 and a 17 year old male minor. 
    All arrested suspects and confiscated pieces of evidence were brought to respective arresting units where charges for illegal drugs were prepared against them.
    Meanwhile, six marijuana plantation sites in Benguet were discovered planted with with a total of 200,750 fully grown marijuana, 500 seedlings and 40, 000 dried marijuana and fruiting tops all worth P5, 370, 000.
    These were all burned by lawmen after documentation.
    Police are now investigating to identify marijuana cultivators.
    Police are continuously conducting barangay visitations and information drives against illegal drugs, the PIO said.
 

2 nabbed for shabu in Benguet, Abra

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet -- Two drug personalities were arrested in buy-bust operations in Benguet and Abra on Sept. 14.
    Reports submitted to Cordillera police director Brig Gen. David K. Peredo Jr. identified the arrested suspects as Bethel Maguen De Los Santos, 21 and Tristan Steve Tupasi Wong, 30.
    In Benguet, joint illegal drug operatives of the Regional Police Drug Enforcement Unit, La Trinidad Municipal Police Station, Regional Intelligence Unit -14, and Regional Mobile Force Battalion 15 arrested suspect De Los Santos after he sold a  sachet of suspected shabu weighing around 5 grams worth P34,000 to a lawman who posed as buyer.
    In Abra, Wong was arrested by elements of Abra Provincial Police Office and Regional Mobile Force Battalion 1504 after he sold a sachet of suspected shabu weighing around .15 grams valued at P1,020 to a cop who acted as a poseur buyer.
    Inventory of confiscated items was witnessed by suspects and representatives from the media and barangay officials.
     The suspects and confiscated pieces of evidence were brought to the custody of their respective police units for documentation and proper disposition.
    Suspects will now be facing charges illegal drugs.
 

Read more...

𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐜, Tadian towns ink 𝐌𝐎𝐀 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐲 𝐒𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐧

 
By Alpine L. Killa-Malwagay

BONTOC, Mountain Province -- In a symbolic gesture of commitment towards creating a drug-free community, the mayors of Bontoc and Tadian municipalities a memorandum of agreement for the former to avail services of the Balay Silangan Reformatory Center owned by the latter located in Tadian.
    The center is supervised by the Philippine Drug Enfircement Agency. The Bontoc LGU was represented by Mayor Jerome "Chagsen" Tudlong, Jr., with Tadian LGU is represented by Mayor Constito Masweng.
    Those who witnessed the MOA signing Sept. 7 from Tadian LGU were executive assistant Louie Buned and Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Council secretariat Estephany Ruth Alibing.
    From Bontoc LGU weree MADAC secretariat Stephanie Kanongkong and information Officer Alpine Killa-Malwagay. 
    The "Balay Silangan" is a community-based reformation center that aims to provide a safe and supportive environment for drug surrenderees to undergo rehabilitation and reintegrate into society.
    The center offers programs and activities to help individuals recover from drug addiction and acquire necessary life skills.
    Mayor Tudlong expressed his gratitude to the municipality of Tadian through mayor Masweng for the partnership to provide much-needed support and offer second chances to individuals struggling with addiction. 
    "The MOA signing is a reminder of our commitment and determination of reintegrating individuals into society as responsible and self-sufficient citizens, contributing to a drug-free and reformed community," Tudlong said in an interview.
 

Read more...

8 Baguio villages rate low in anti-drug abuse drive

By Jessa Mardy Samidan

BAGUIO CITY -- Eight out of 128 barangays in Baguio City were rated with low performance during the 2023 Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADACs) performance assessment by the Dept. of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).
    Results of the assessment conducted June 26-29, 2023 and July 10-12, 2023 (year under review is calendar year 2022) were presented during the joint quarterly meeting of the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC) and the City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) on Wednesday, 23 August 2023.
     Barangays with low performance rating of their BADACs were: Campo Filipino, Cresencia Village, Harrison-Claudio Carantes, Upper Magsaysay, Military Cut-off, Pucsusan, North Sanitary Camp and South Sanitary Camp.
    BADACs are being assessed to ensure the continuous improvement of performance in the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of anti-illegal drug activities using a 10-point key indicator rating system.
    For the six barangays with low compliance, the key indicators unmet include the regular conduct of monthly meetings; non-implementation of drug abuse prevention advocacy campaigns as well as non-implementation of community-based intervention for Persons Who Use Drugs (PWUDs).
    Military Cut-off was also the lone barangay unable to comply with the mandatory creation or reorganization of its BADAC.
In the organization of BADAC Auxiliary Team (BAT), five barangays failed, specifically Balsigan, Lower Rock Quarry, Outlook Drive and Apugan-Loakan.
     On the establishment of Barangay Referral Desk with designated Duty Officer, six barangays failed specifically: Pinsao Pilot Project, Upper QM, Malcolm Square, Military Cut-off, Irisan and South Sanitary Camp.
     As to the Organization of House Clusters with designated Cluster Leader, six barangays failed particularly: Pinsao Pilot Project, Apugan-Loakan, SLU-SVP, San Luis Village, Pinsao Proper and ABCR.
     For allocation of fund, six barangays failed particularly Balsigan, Cresencia Village, Harrison-Carantes, Asin, North Sanitary Camp and Kayang Hilltop.
     For implementation of drug clearing operations, 12 barangays failed particularly: Pucsusan, Campo Filipino, Cresencia Village, East Quirino Hill, Military Cut-off, Quezon Hill proper, North Sanitary Camp, South Sanitary Camp, Upper Magsaysay, Brookside, Manuel Roxas and Outlook Drive.
     On the implementation of community-based intervention for Persons Who Use Drugs (PWUDs), 23 barangays failed and these are: Brookside, Campo Filipino, Cresencia Village, Dontogan, Happy Hallow, Imelda R. Marcos, Irisan, Kagitingan, Lopez Jaena, Lualhati, Upper Magsaysay, Manuel A. Roxas, Military Cut-off, Outlook Drive, Pucsusan, Quezon Hill Proper, East Quirino Hill, San Luis Village, San Roque Village, North Sanitary Camp, South Sanitary Camp, SLU-SVP Housing Village, and South Drive.
    On implementation of drug abuse prevention advocacy campaigns, 37 barangays out of 128 failed and these are: ABCR, Asin Road, Aurora Hill North Central, Bal-Marcoville, Brookside, Brookspoint, Cabinet Hill - teachers Camp, Camp 8, Cresencia Village, Lower Dagsian, Dizon Subdivision, Ferdinand, Lower General Luna, Upper General Luna, Guisad Surong, Harrison-Claudio Carantes, Holy Ghost Proper, Irisan, Kayang Hilltop, Lopez Jaena, Upper Magsaysay, Manuel A. Roxas, Military Cut-off, West Modernsite, New Lucban, Outlook Drive, Phil-Am, Pinget, Pinsao Pilot Project, Pucsusan, East Quirino Hill, San Luis Village, San Vicente, South Sanitary Camp, Session Road Area, and SLU-SVP.
     On the conduct of monthly meetings by BADAC, 64 barangays out of the 128 failed to comply.
     Sixty-four percent or 82 barangays were rated with high performance while 30 percent or 38 barangays were rated with moderate functionality.
     Compared to the 2022 performance rating, the DILG assessment report says the BADACs in the city were able to improve from 45 high compliance barangays to 82 out of 128; and the low compliance barangays from 21 to eight. Of the 62 moderate compliance barangays in 2022, it was down to 38 this year attributed to the increase in high compliance rating.
     The annual assessment of BADAC performance is in line with the priorities of the current administration to continue the campaign against illegal drugs within the ambit of the law and with respect to human rights.
     The DILG field offices continuously aim to enjoin all the barangays to revitalize and strengthen the capacities of their respective BADACs and ensure its functionality and effectiveness. – JMPS
 

P103-K illegal drugs seized in Cordillera

CAMP DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet – Illegal drugs worth P103,924 were seized in anti-drug operations in Cordillera August 27 to Sept. 1, the regional police information office said in a report.
    The police Regional Operations Division bared a drug personality was arrested after he was caught in possession of 0.93 grams of suspected shabu worth P 6,528.
    The suspect was arrested by Benguet police who identified the suspect as Amercosain Lawi, 30. 
    The arrested suspect and confiscated items were brought to arresting unit.
    Charges for illegal drugs were prepared against him.
    Meanwhile, in separate marijuana eradication operations, two marijuana plantation sites planted with around 400 fully grown marijuana plants and 440 seedlings all worth P97,396 were discovered in the province.
    These were all burned by authorities even as cultivators are being idneitified.
    The PIO said police are continuously visiting barangays for information dissemination against illegal drugs.

 

3 PUV drivers test positive for illegal drugs

By Liezle Basa Inigo

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan – Three Public Utility Vehicle drivers tested positive for illegal drugs during surprise drug tests in line with "Oplan: Balik Eskwela" in several bus terminals here on Sept. 1.
    The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Region 2 Interdiction Unit conducted the surprise drug test in partnership with the Land Transportation Office-Region 2 to ensure the safety of passengers using public transportation and prevent drug-related road accidents.
    One-hundred PUV drivers were tested and three of them tested positive for illegal drugs.
    Two K9 dogs also swept the bus terminals for illegal drugs which turned out negative.

 

Read more...

Baguio to link with int’l coalition against drugs

By Jessa Mardy Samidan

BAGUIO CITY -- Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong is linking the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC) to an international coalition to improve performance of Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADACs).
    The mayor was approached by Dr. Raquel Tolentino, in-country coordinator of the Community Anti-Drug Abuse Coalition during his official business trip in Dallas, Texas where the group offered their help in conducting a strategic planning workshop for CADAC members.
     The non-government organization is under the Association of Anti-Drug Abuse Coalitions of the Philippines Incorporated with funding from the Community Anti Drug Coalition of America (CADCA) to strengthen coalition building towards a common goal – prevent illegal substance use.
    Capacity development training will be provided by Dr. Tolentino’s group to CADAC and BADAC members where best practices and logic models will be shared in crafting local policies focused on drug-use prevention and health promotion including methods to sustain drug-cleared barangays.
    A two-day strategic planning workshop was conducted August 16-17, 2023 attended by nearly a hundred CADAC members as initial activity.
    The mayor hopes with help of the coalition, BADACs with low performance will be able to catch-up.
     Data from the audit team of the Dept. of the Interior and Local Government – Cordillera Administrative Region gave a total score of 89.50 percent for BADACs functionality based on the calendar year 2022 review of accomplishments.  
    The DILG-CAR audit team said Baguio City’s BADAC rate is equivalent to high functional performance.
     However, the mayor said he was not satisfied with the BADACs result of assessment.
    “Our target score should be 95 points or more and to reach that goal we need to have an outlook of our BADACs performance at least twice a year before the audit of the DILG,” the mayor said.
    The audit of BADACs is based on 10-point criteria set forth through DILG memorandum circulars. – JMPS 
 

Read more...