ILOILO City – The Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) has already determined possible areas in Western Visayas that serve as distribution centers for illegal drugs, although the locations are being withheld while operations are ongoing.
“Yes, meron na kaming na-determine, and we will be coordinating with the respective local government,” said PRO-6 regional director Police Brigadier General Josefino Ligan during a press conference.
Nearly P75 million worth of illegal drugs were seized in Western Visayas in February, prompting the PRO-6 to intensify monitoring of suspected distribution hubs believed to be feeding the region’s narcotics trade.
Data from PRO-6 showed that anti-drug operations conducted across the region last month resulted in the confiscation of P74.87 million worth of illegal drugs and marijuana, including about 11 kilograms of suspected shabu.
The biggest single haul was recorded on Feb. 20 during a buy-bust operation in Barangay Maya, Balasan, Iloilo, where authorities seized 2.06 kilograms of suspected shabu valued at P14.08 million.
Ligan said authorities cannot yet reveal the specific areas under surveillance.
But he disclosed that most of the illegal drugs circulating in Western Visayas are believed to originate from outside the region, particularly from Luzon and the National Capital Region.
“You know the geographical question ng ating lugar. Marami silang puwedeng pasukan,” Ligan said.
“Most of those na nahuhuli natin, based on our debriefing sa aming nahuhuli, ang route nila galing sa taas — from the mainland, from the National Capital Region — doon nanggagaling ang supply nila,” he added.
Authorities noted that Western Visayas’ multiple entry points by land and sea make it vulnerable to drug trafficking activities.
“Alam ninyo, ang ilegal naghahanap ‘yan ng pamamaraan para makapasok. Tayo rin naghahanap ng paraan para itigil sila,” Ligan said.
He added: “‘Yung mga nahuhuli natin, doon natin nakikita kung paano sila nakakapasok. Ang ginagawa nating pamamaraan itutuloy natin kasi may nahuhuli naman.”
Despite the large volume of illegal drugs seized, Ligan clarified that police have not identified a single drug lord controlling the drug trade across Western Visayas.
However, suspects caught with large quantities of illegal drugs can already be considered major distributors within their respective areas.
“Wala tayong base dito sa Western Visayas na matatawag nating drug lord,” Ligan said.
“Pero halimbawa nahulian ka ng dalawang kilo ng shabu, kapag tigik-tigik mo ‘yan madi-distribute mo ‘yan sa napakaraming munisipyo” he added.
Ligan said the police will continue implementing their current anti-drug strategy centered on both supply reduction and demand reduction.
“Still, the supply reduction and the demand reduction are in place. Nandoon pa rin ang strategy na ‘yan. Itutuloy at itutuloy natin,” he said.
Authorities added that intelligence monitoring and coordination with local government units will remain crucial in efforts to dismantle drug distribution networks across Western Visayas./PN