Mayor Rodrigo Duterte throws one of the 62 bricks of cocaine into the incinerator of the Holcim Davao Plant in Ilang, Tibungco during the burning of the said illegal drugsMonday afternoon. The burning was witnessed by representatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, the Regional Trial Court, the Public Attorney’s Office, the Department of Justice, a member of the local media and a Civil Society group. (City Information Office)
DAVAO CITY — Without citing statistics, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency claimed that the supply and demand of illegal drugs in the city has lessened.
Liezel Valle, PDEA personnel said that they will announce the total number of the illegal drugs they have seized in their recent operations and that will be burned during the program on Monday, June 27 at the premises of the agency.
Attorney Ben Joseph Tesiorna, PDEA Region11 representative said that he will also be present in the event as their legal counsel.
“We were able to prevent the entry of voluminous supply of illegal drugs during the campaign period, wherein there are several attempts to bring in the illegal drugs,” he said.
Tesiorna said that PDEA launched operations against illegal drug trade in coordination with the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) and Task Force Davao (TFD).
Surrenderees
Meanwhile, Tesiorna said that he was informed that there are 155 drug personalities who surrendered “voluntarily” in Panabo City.
He said that illegal drug activities are rampant in Panabo City.
“We have major arrest in Panabo last year and two were “neutralized” during actual operation,” he said.
Tesiorna said those who surrendered will be accommodated in the government’s programs.
“Those who have no cases would be eligible for voluntary rehabilitation but those who have pending warrants or cases will be prosecuted,” he said.
PDEA, he said, will continue to monitor the drug users who don’t have pending cases and will be put in the rehabilitation center.
“If we proved that you went back to doing illegal drug activities, we would still apprehend you, or worst “neutralize” you,” he said.
Tesiorna added that they received information that the price of illegal drug methamphetamine, also known as “shabu”, has decreased.
“But not in Davao City since there is no supply here,” he said.
Tesiorna said that PDEA is trying to gather information and collate it before the oath taking of the President-elect Duterte to present the recommendations and produce a copy for other law enforcement agencies.
“We are now concentrating at the grassroots level. Those who are living in the community are aware who among the residents of their community are involved in illegal drugs activities,” he said. (davaotoday.com)
