LUBAO – Gov. Lilia ‘Nanay’ Pineda expressed alarm over the huge number of self-confessed drug users and pushers in the province wherein 2,918 were recorded from the 2nd district alone.
As this developed, the governor reorganized and enjoined some1,044 members of the Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADAC) from the second district to actively get involved in the fight against illegal drugs and monitor the activities of the surrenderees to make sure that they will not go back to their old habits.
The governor also ordered the members of the BADAC to encourage other drug users and pushers in their villages to surrender.
“I don’t want any Kapampangan dead because of illegal drugs. We’ll give them another chance. I’m going to meet their parents or their families because they are responsible for the suspects,” the governor said
Irene Bacani, a representative from the Department of Interior and Local Government-Pampanga, reminded the barangay officials that they play crucial roles in the campaign against illegal drugs.
Bacani added that criminal and administrative cases may be filed against them if necessary actions against illegal drugs were not taken in their areas of jurisdiction.
“BADAC, you are the first defense against illegal drugs. If you are not doing any actions despite your knowledge of illegal activities in your villages that will serve as evidence in the administrative case that will be filed against you,” Bacani said.
PSupt Juritz Rara, Pampanga Provincial Police chief for operation disclosed that out of the 2,918 drug users and pushers, 700 are from Floridablanca, 491 from Guagua, 966 from Lubao, 387 from Porac, 320 from Sasmuan and 228 from Sta Rita.
Rara also revealed during the Briefing on Anti-Illegal Drug Programs held at Lubao Gymnasium yesterday that 138 barangays from the 2nd district are involved in illegal drugs.
He also reported that local police from the second district were able to confiscate 69.89 grams of shabu with a street value of P251,628.12 and recovery of seven unlicensed firearms during the conduct of 134 operations that resulted in the arrest of 220 persons for this year alone.
Present during the event were Mayor Darwin Manalansan, Mayor Dante Torres, Mayor Dagi Salalila, Acting Mayor Tito Diaz, DILG Provincial Director Myrvi Fabia, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Director Emerson Margate, Provincial Police Director Sr. Supt. Rodolfo Recomono Jr, 2nd district board members Salvador Dimson Jr, Arthur Salalila and Anthony Joseph Toress, 4th district board member Rosve Henson.
