Treñas hopes to see result on campaign against illegal drugs
City Mayor Jerry Treñas is hoping to see results on the campaign against illegal drugs with the reactivation of the Iloilo City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (Icadac). The council met last week to discuss the current state of illegal drugs problem in the city.
Treñas did not give specifics on the number of barangays presently considered by police as seriously affected by illegal drugs after their first meeting with the members of the anti-drug abuse council.
The chief executive is the Icadac's chair and Vice Mayor Jed Mabilog is the vice chairman. While, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency's Paul Ledesma serves as executive director. The other members of the council are Councilor Irene Ong, Councilor John Melchor Mabilog, PDEA Regional Director Roybel Sanchez, DILG city director Helen Mestidio as head of secretariat, ICPO director Senior Supt. Wesley Barayuga, all current city precinct commanders, city schools Supt. Erlinda Gencaya, University of San Agustin vice president Jigger Latoza, City Information Officer Amante Espejo and CSWDO head Clarita Dignadice
Treñas added that the police is still validating the list of illegal drugs personality and their cohorts. He gave no other details on the list of people allegedly behind the illegal drugs trade in the city. The list earlier linked some members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod to suspected drug lords. All denied their participation in the illegal drugs.
The mayor added members of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) will now coordinate with the different police precinct commanders of the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) in effecting arrests of illegal drugs personality and seizures of illegal drugs as what has been agreed upon during their meeting.
The PDEA as mandated by law should be the forefront agency in making arrests of those involved in illegal drugs trade. The local police could not make any arrest without clearance from the PDEA.