PDEA, NBI cite gains in drug war

NAGA CITY --- Following the marching order of President Rodrigo Roa-Duterte, all enforcement agencies tasked to carry on the drug war are on their toes to ensure a no-let-up campaign against the drug scourge. During the regular Naga City Peace and Order Council (NCPOC) meeting held yesterday, Aug. 8, at the Public Safety Office (PSO) conference room here , both the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) reported on the progress of their continuing fight against illegal drugs. According to PDEA-Camarines Sur Provincial Office Agent Raul Noel L. Natividad, who also serves as Barangay Drug Clearing Officer, 43 persons were arrested, 16 buy- bust operations were conducted and 6 search warrant operations were completed during the 1st semester of the current year. “These accomplishments are part of our successful campaign to curb drug-related activities in Naga City and in most parts of Camarines Sur for the past six months, covering the month of January to June,” Natividad added. As a result, more or less 3,577.4185 grams of illegal drugs amounting to P24.3M were confiscated and kept under their custody. In his State of the Nation Address (SONA) last month, the President emphasized that his campaign against illegal drugs remains on top of his priorities. “You worry about the present, I am concerned [about] both the present and the future. I worry about the future because I know what crimes can do to the youth of this country. If not stopped, crimes can make human cesspools of succeeding generations. I will not allow it to happen. Not during my term,” the President has expounded. Meanwhile, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)-Naga City District Officer Atty. Dante B. Bonoan also reported that during their one time-big time joint drug operation with PDEA-Bicol, they were also able to put behind bars 13 drug personalities. The NBI-led anti-drug operation successfully conducted in Barangay San Juan, Baao, Camarines Sur was in close coordination with the Camarines Sur Police Provincial Office (CSPPO)-Intelligence Office and the Philippine Army where they netted the 13 suspects in the drug trade, Bonoan said. Operatives confiscated 53 pieces of transparent plastic sachets containing suspected shabu weighing MOL 160 grams with estimated street value of P1,000,000.00 and several pieces of drug paraphernalia during the Baao operation. All suspects are now temporarily under the custody of PDEA Camarines Sur Provincial Office for proper disposition.