San Rafael barangay captain called to join illegal drugs meeting
The barangay captain of Barangay San Rafael, Mandurriao will be called today to attend the meeting with the chief executive, Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and restaurant/bar owners in Smallville complex after she protested the report of the agency.
Mayor Jerry Treñas has invited Barangay Captain Azucena Tabuyoc to attend today's meeting which will discuss the problems on illegal drugs. Tabuyoc has protested the report of the PDEA linking three commercial establishments in Smallville complex as drop centers of illegal drugs.
Smallville complex is within the jurisdiction of Barangay San Rafael. Tabuyoc earlier defended that PDEA's report is not true. She said several barangay tanods are deployed in the area.
However, Tabuyoc's denial is contrary to the earlier statement issued by Treñas when interviewed by members of the Iloilo City Hall Press Corps. The chief executive recognized the illegal drugs problem in the Smallville complex and in the entire city.
The mayor even challenged the PDEA and the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) to come up with a solution to the problem. He said everything must be done to erase the impression that the Smallville complex is used as drop center of illegal drugs which includes shabu and ecstasy.
Treñas said the report made by PDEA indicating that all of the city's 180 barangays are considered drug affected is a "recognition" of the seriousness of the illegal drugs problem affecting the city.
PDEA, in its plans and programs, did not indicate the specific action plan with regard to the supply reduction and demand reduction drive except for conduct of seminars and deployment of new drug enforcement officers from PDEA academy to various cities and provinces, among others.
The state of the illegal drugs problem in the city will pressure both the PDEA and ICPO to contain the problems. They should come up with a better plan to minimize if not to eradicate the problem, said Treñas.
PDEA's latest report show that the city's 180 barangays are already affected by illegal drugs with the following breakdown: 18 barangays - seriously affected; 35 barangays - moderately affected; and 127 barangays - slightly affected.
The PDEA report was also highlighted after one of its top officials disclosed that three commercial establishments located in Smallville Complex are used as drop centers of illegal drugs. Two other apartments in Mandurriao are likewise used as lairs of illegal drug personalities.