'We only act within the bounds of law,' PDEA counsel says
Public disclosure of the supposed drug-scenario in Iloilo City has seemingly backfired to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) here.
With a PDEA official quoted as source of declaration that Iloilo City's popular nightspot has now become a drug trade center, questions and criticisms were lodged against the PDEA administration here. Even Chief Superintendent Isagani Cuevas, Police Regional Office 6 director disputed the report. (See related news)
"Smallville," the PDEA said, is source of Shabu and Ecstasy for at least a year now. To date though, no arrest – even the most minor to the most major – has ever been made by the PDEA within the "Smallville"area.
Lawyer Ronnie Delicana, PDEA counsel came out in defense of the agency.
"From our end, we only act within the bounds of law. We never and will not go beyond that. Now if anybody can tell us of a better way to do it, then go ahead and tell us and let us see if we can make it work," Delicana said in yesterday's chance interview with The News Today (TNT).
Delicana further stressed that procedures are being "exhausted to the letter" by the PDEA. And as for the Smallville trade, Delicana pointed out that as per monitoring and surveillance of PDEA agents, Shabu and Ecstasy dealings here are "strictly personal basis."
"They deal one-on-one and pay in cash. There are no middlemen here and that makes our job doubly difficult. But our agents with our operations – all within the procedures prescribed by law," he said.
A Smallville businessman reached for comment supported the PDEA's stance.
"That is one way of deterring spread of Shabu, Ecstasy and all other illegalities here. By exposing it, then these drug pushers and drug users will not be as bold with their acts. They are bad news for us businessmen in the area, they destroy the image of major investments here," he said while requesting anonymity.
Similar sentiments from Roberto Divinagracia, president of the Liga ng mga Barangay in the Iloilo City Proper area.
Divinagracia decried the seemingly "hi-end" and "sophisticated" selling of illegal drugs now. Smallville as one of the areas for such is possible, Divinagracia said.
As such, he also wants a strengthened campaign in the city proper particularly since the area is known to be within the university belt. Most number of bars, local hang-outs and restaurants are also within the City Proper reason why Divinagracia pushes for a dialogue with business establishment owners.
"The delivery system has really changed," he ended.