The News Today Online

2 barangay dads engage in buck-passing

By Maricar M. Calubiran

The barangay captains of Malipayon and Tanza-Esperanza in the City Proper have traded barbs over the presence of illegal drug pushers in their respective barangays.

Tanza-Esperanza Brgy. Captain Carlos Orada alleged that most of the illegal drug pushers reside in the nearby Barangay Malipayon.

Orada, in an interview with the members of the Iloilo City Hall Press Corps said most of the illegal drug pushers in their barangay were already arrested. He however admitted that there are still drug pushers operating in his area. He refused to name the suspected drug pushers though.

He claimed, the problem on illegal drugs has long been existing in his barangay prior to his assumption as Barangay Captain.

As this developed, Orada proposed to close the entrance and exit areas of his barangay to prevent the transfer of suspected pushers from Brgy. Malipayon.

Lirazan, on the other hand, refuted Orada's claim. She said if there are illegal drug pushers in her barangay the police could have conducted series of drug raids. But these did not happen, she said.

To note, Brgy. Malipayon was listed as newly identified drug affected barangays on the July 14, 2005 assessment of the Iloilo City Police Office. Tanza-Esperanza has been in the police watch list for so long.

Lirazan said they have been strict with the entry of new faces in their barangay. She added they are currently imposing a 10:00 pm curfew to minimize if not eradicate the illegal drug problems in her area.