PDEA-12 assistant regional director Atty. Ronniel Pe said that because of the massive availability of shabu in Region 12, it has become a lucrative business for some people in the area. “Shabu is still the most common abused drug in the region,” Pe said. He revealed that supply of shabu usually comes from Cotabato City being transported to some parts of the region like Kidapawan City, Tacurong City, Koronadal City, Isulan, Sultan Kudarat, Glan, Sarangani, among others. The supply of Marijuana, he said comes from Sarangani, Colombio in Sultan Kudarat, Tampakan and T’boli in South Cotabato. In General Santos City, PDEA agents, according to him, are focusing their tight watch on Silway, being touted as “drug den” for its big number of users and peddlers. Pe also cited the importance of community vigilance saying that one may know or sense if there’s a drug laboratory operating in an area. An indication, he said is when there’s a visible destruction of trees that surround a house and a stinky smell of water and a rise in the electricity bill. While appreciating some members of community for their involvement in the monitoring and reporting of suspicious people and their activities, Pe also urged the others who are still “passive” to do their part in helping the agency apprehend illegal drug dealers and MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2013
users and more so in helping agents accost drug dens and laboratories. PDEA-12 maintains that it will continue to do its mandate in keeping drug criminals at bay. Atty. Pe said the anti-illegal drug campaign of the agency remains to be at the fore as it benefits all ages and gender especially the youth and other vulnerable sectors of society. Pe also said that PDEA is working hard, stepping up its efforts on the areas of intelligence and surveillance to reduce the supplies of illegal drugs like shabu and marijuana that are commonly sold and popular among users. The agency is also hopeful for the establishment of a Drug Rehabilitation Center in the region that will cater to the needs of victims of illegal drugs. Likewise Pe is looking forward to the creation of a “drug court” in the region. According to him, a drug court focused on just the issues of illegal drugs would be a welcome development as it is important for the speedy resolution of cases lamenting for a number of cases that are either stagnant or too slow. Should this be taken into consideration, there’ll be no long wait for the victims or suspects to know the fate they would be in, he said. (CT Apelacio, PIA-12 General Santos City)
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