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BY BOY RYAN ZABAL
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KALIBO, Aklan – At least 80 barangays in Aklan have been declared drug-free five months into the government’s intensified antidrug campaign.
Of the 327 villages in 17 towns, 214 (65 percent) were drug-affected before the campaign, which included “clearing operations,” started in July.
Now all of Buruanga’s eight barangays were declared drug-free, said Chief Inspector Bernard Ufano, chief of the provincial police’s Intelligence Branch.
Among others, three villages in Numancia, five in Tangalan, eight in New Washington, nine in Malinao, and 18 in Banga passed drug-free parameters and were certified by their respective police stations.
But Ufano said Boracay Island (in Malay town) and its three barangays — Manoc-manoc, Balabag and Yapak — remained drug-infested.
“To maintain the drug-free status, the barangays should conduct symposium and seminars on drug awareness and community-based rehabilitation programs, and support activities in coordination with civic and nongovernment organizations,” Ufano said.
As of Dec. 13 antidrug operations in Aklan resulted in the arrest of 138 suspects, 87 of whom were in the police’s watch lists of drug personalities.
More than 1,800 self-confessed drug users and alleged pushers also turned themselves in to the authorities.
The provincial police started their barangay drug-clearing operations in September. (Aklan Forum Journal/PN)
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