KALIBO, Aklan – The drug war statistics of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-Aklan) showed 30 drug personalities in the province were arrested in 28 anti-drug operations as of the end of 2021.
PDEA also disclosed 187 villages in Aklan retained their drug-cleared status out of 220 drug-affected barangays. There are also 107 barangays under close monitoring for retention as drug-free barangays.
A drug-cleared barangay is certified by the regional oversight committee if there is an absence of drug den, drug pushers and users in the village, drug transit activity, drug supply, marijuana cultivation site, and clandestine drug laboratory.
The agency also noted illegal drug peddlers involved in drug activities in Aklan were getting their supply in Capiz and Batangas. Many drug personalities in Boracay Island were arrested also during the buy-bust operations that came from other provinces.
Provincial Officer Investigation Agent V Jane Fatima Tuadles said the agency is winning the war against illegal drugs with the intensified coordination and support of the Philippine National Police and stakeholders.
Before her assignment in Aklan in January, Tuadles has been designated PDEA Provincial Officer in Guimaras province.
PDEA has urged the barangay councils to strengthen the Barangay Drug Abuse Councils (BADAC) and support the intervention programs for qualified drug pushers.
The reformation centers in the province to rehabilitate drug offenders are also gaining ground. The Balay Silangan Reformation Center offers alternative interventions for drug personalities to regain their dignity and place in the community.
In addition, six Persons Who Used Drugs (PWUDs) who completed their two-month community-based drug rehabilitation program were reintegrated into the community on February 3, 2022, in Buruanga, Aklan. /PN
