PDEA tags 9 city brgys as drug havens
Nine barangays in Iloilo City have been tagged by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Office 6 as havens of illegal drugs.
PDEA 6 acting chief Paul Ledesma made the confirmation over Bombo Radyo following a recent workshop with the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Ledesma said the illegal drug situation is worst at Veterans Village, Tanza Esperanza and Malipayon in the Iloilo City proper area. Also widespread at Bakhaw in Mandurriao District, San Juan, Boulevard and West Habog-Habog in Molo District and in Jaro District, barangays Simon Ledesma and Desamparados.
If it’s any consolation though, the report was a big improvement if compared to last year’s PDEA “diagnosis” that all 180 city barangays are “illegal-drug” positive in both use and trade.
In a related development, PDEA 6 is reportedly on a one-year deadline to resolve the illegal drug situation here.
While virtually impossible to fully eradicate the drug menace, PDEA 6 in same radio interview said it is committed to gain some control over the problem.
As such, Ledesma said the pressure is on for PDEA 6 agents to work overtime and gain results on its drug operations.
This, as he warned barangay officials who are purportedly lax in anti-drug campaign.