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BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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ILOILO – Fourteen towns were declared “drug-cleared” by their respective Municipal Anti-Illegal Drug Abuse Councils (MADAC).
They were Alimodian, Balasan, Bingawan, Calinog, Dueñas, Lambunao, Lemery, Leon, Maasin, Mina, San Dionisio, San Rafael, Tubungan, and Zarraga.
These towns submitted a “drug-clearing booklet” and resolutions from Barangay ADACs declaring they have no more drug users and pushers, said Chief Inspector Aron Palomo, Iloilo Police Provincial Office spokesperson.
But they cannot be considered “drug-free” until the Police Regional Office 6 and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Region 6 declare them as such.
“Drug-cleared” declarations are still subject to validation by the higher law enforcement agencies, said Palomo.
For an area to be “drug-free,” it must have no drug pusher, user, and drug laboratory or marijuana plantation, he said.
“Maghambal kita nga ‘cleared,’ gin-process pa lang ang mga requirements [for] drug clearing. Indi pa naton mahambal nga ‘drug-free,’” Palomo explained.
Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent Harold Tuzon, provincial police director, said President Rodrigo Duterte gave the police six more months to eradicate drugs through clearing operations in barangays.
“Ang target natin is 100-percent drug-clearing operations until June,” said Tuzon.
Drug clearing operations are ongoing in 60 percent of barangays in the province, Tuzon said, citing their records./PN
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