Capitol's drug czar vows to do 'massive clean-up'
Illegal drug trade and proliferation continue to hound Iloilo towns with the reported source a barangay in Iloilo City. And with massive anti-illegal drug campaign and advocacy pushed to the 1,721 barangays, The News Today (TNT) learned that focus and concern is most high in northern Iloilo towns of Ajuy and Estancia.
The "targets" are the pushers which according to an intelligence source have increased in "alarming" number. While no figures nor updated "drug watchlist" were disclosed, same source said barangay-based campaign was strengthened for weeks now amidst concern of more illegal drug activities in the coming weeks.
Board Member Angelo Briones, president of the Liga ng mga Barangay in the province leads the Capitol's campaign. Asked for reaction, Briones refused to confirm illegal drug resurgence in Ajuy and Estancia however vowed to seriously look into the report particularly since Ajuy is his hometown and northern Iloilo his district.
"Our campaign continues and we really want to clean our barangays from all forms of illegal drugs. We also want to make sure that our children and the community are protected from this menace as we assure the public that we are dead serious in this," Briones said.
Estancia has since been identified by drug officials in the region as among the priority areas of concern in the fight against illegal drug proliferation and trade given the sea port in the area used as entry or 'shipment' point.