BUENAVISTA, Guimaras, July 29 (PNA) — The anti-illegal drug assessment report released by the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO6) nearly a month ago detailing the accomplishments of the six provinces comprising Western Visayas vis-à-vis illicit drugs created a “mild” uproar among citizens here when the Guimaras Provincial Police Office (GPPO) under Police Sr. Supt. Ricardo de la Paz reported “zero apprehension” for both drug pushers and users during the month of June.
To clarify matters, Buenavista town police chief Police Inspector Raymund Cruz on Tuesday explained that his men had actually conducted several arrests of drug suspects particularly at Baranggay Sto. Rosario, but since he is barely two months in the job as police head, he said he may have to browse records kept in his office. He assured though, that the anti-drug drive in Buenavista which has the most number of villages (36 baranggays) in Guimaras will be a continuing process and is not going to cease until the drug problem is stamped out.
However, the drive against prohibited drugs temporarily took a backseat to give way to the recent Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit (APEC) held in Iloilo City because several police officers from his station served in the security force tasked to secure the delegates, Cruz said.
Currently, there are seven barangays under the close watch of the Buenavista police, and Cruz was quick to point out that the seven fall under the group of the less seriously affected as drug pushers try not to attract attention owing to the anti-drug police operations. (PNA)