[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]
[av_heading heading=’ Statements from Du30, cops spark confusion ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
[/av_heading]
[av_textblock size=’18’ font_color=” color=”]
ILOILO – Contradicting statements from President Rodrigo Duterte and the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) has left Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. dazed if not confused.
Two days after the President said illegal drugs in Iloilo were “medyo wala na,”
IPPO’s Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) claimed these were rampant, most especially in the 5th District.
“Which statement are we supposed to believe),” said Defensor yesterday.
He also questioned the description that PDEU used to describe the presence of illegal drugs in northern Iloilo.
“I don’t know kon appropriate ang word nga rampant,” said Defensor.
The governor demanded statistics to back up the PDEU’s claim.
“If there are no supporting figures, PDEU is shooting from the hip,” he said.
PDEU commander Chief Inspector Charlie Sustento said five drug groups continue to operate in the province and these groups’ source of shabu is Mindanao.
From Mindanao, shabu enters Iloilo through seaports and this is then forwarded to distributors in five towns of the 5th District (northern Iloilo) – Sara, San Dionisio, Estancia, Carles, and Balasan, said Sustento.
“Tama ka subjective sang word nga rampant. Magsiling ka rampant, ano ka damo? What is the percentage? Kon population amo ‘ni, how many are drug users? Amo na ang ginapamangkot ko. Mas maayo man na nga maathag,” said Defensor.
The governor said the presence of illegal drugs in the municipalities could not be denied but whether the problem is rampant or not is another matter.
He told journalists covering the capitol beat, “I suggest you talk to the IPPO and confront them about the use of the word rampant.”
“Mangkuton niyo , ‘Siling n’yo rampant, the President said diutay na lang. Diin sina ang patihan namon,’” he added.
According to Sustento, from Mindanao couriers transport shabu to Iloilo through Cebu, Dumaguete City and Bacolod City.
“All these information were culled from drug pushers we arrested. They told us how their groups operate and where their supplies come from,” said Sustento.
During a private dinner at Malacañang Park late Monday night, Duterte told reporters, “Ang mga mayors d’yan pati barangay captains…‘Di ba sinabi ko sa inyo Iloilo was the hotbed (of illegal drugs)? Ngayon medyo wala na, wala na (Now, it’s kind of waning).”
League of Municipalities of the Philippines – Iloilo chapter president Mayor Jett Rojas of Ajuy town said he would be conferring with the local chief executives of Sara, San Dionisio, Estancia, Carles, and Balasan.
But he stressed, “Dapat indi lang ang mayors kundi ang mga municipal officials kag barangay officials may programa gid for drug clearing.”/PN
[/av_textblock]
[/av_one_full]
