Chiefs of drug-affected villages urged to cooperate with police
Village chiefs of Iloilo City barangays seriously affected by illegal drugs are urged to help authorities in the anti-illegal campaign in their respective communities, Chief Supt. Cipriano Querol Jr., police regional director, said.
Three drug-affected barangays in the city are being closely watched by authorities – Brgys. Tanza Esperanza and Malipayon in City Proper and Brgy. Bakhaw in Mandurriao.
Querol said he is also asking the support of these communities in the implementation of the Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team (BPAT).
However, Querol has admitted it is difficult for the police to fully established the BPAT in these areas, particularly Malipayon and Bakhaw, because the new heads of these villages are related to two suspected drug lords in Iloilo City.
According to the police, Malipayon Brgy. Capt. Noel Odicta is the brother of Melvin Odicta, a suspected drug dealer, while village chief Remia Gregorio of Bakhaw is the sister of another suspected drug dealer Richard Prevendido.
But Querol said the task group on drugs for the three barangays will fully already operate starting Saturday.
These areas will be watched by about 50 policemen from the Regional Anti-Illegal Drug Group and Iloilo City Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Group.
A mini police station will be set up in each of the three areas aimed at
neutralizing illegal drug activities and maintaining peace and order in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
Meanwhile, Querol is pushing for the implementation of the BPAT in the 180 barangays in Iloilo City.
The training of BPAT members is a must to strengthen barangay monitoring network, he said.
Querol also embarked on a series of crisis management seminars in Antique and Aklan provinces where he also discussed the concept of BPAT and Barangay Peacekeeping Operations.*JPR
