DAVAO CITY (MindaNews/10 June) – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has called on the members of the Barangay Anti-Drug Council (BADAC) here to work with them in countering the drug menace in their areas.
Undersecretary Jose Gutierrez, PDEA director general, made the call following the week-long orientation of this city’s new BADAC members on their role in this city’s anti-drug abuse prevention program.
Guitierrez urged the BADAC members to report to the agency persons involved in the illegal drug activities in their respective barangays.
They were also lectured on salient provisions of Republic Act 9165 otherwise known as the “Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002”, according to Director III Emerson Rosales, PDEA-XI Officer-In-Charge.
In the orientation conducted May 31 to June 2, Rosales said the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) explained to the new members of BADAC their duties and functions.
Personnel from the Davao City Treatment and Rehabilitation Center for Drug Dependents discussed drug identification and its ill effects and ways to prevent drug use, he said.
According to Gutierrez, the arrest of two alleged drug pushers in Panabo City on June 2 would not have happened “if not for the people’s continued vigilance and cooperation”.
Agents of PDEA Davao del Norte Drug Enforcement Office led by Rosales conducted a buy-bust operation in Purok 3, Barangay, San Francisco, Panabo City on June 2 resulting in the arrest of Alejandro Larosa and Joseph Dela Torre De Vera.
“I would like to acknowledge the initiatives of the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council of Panabo City in the fight against illegal drugs in their city,” he said.
The suspects were charged for alleged violation of Section 26 in relation to Sections 5, 11 and 15, Article II of Republic Act 9165. (Rico Biliran/MindaNews)
