ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Feb. 17 (PIA) –The anti-illegal drugs campaign in Isabela City which was started since President Rodrigo Roa Duterte assumed presidency in 2016 is doing well said Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) during their radio interview with the Philippine Information Agency on Wednesday.
Ms. Candice Cabanlong, Barangay Drug Clearing Officer and Public Information Officer of PDEA Region 9 said that from 100% drug affectation here, it went down to 80% after successful operations on illegal-drugs.
“So far our anti-illegal drugs campaign in Isabela City is doing well and last year we conducted two (2) successful operations in supply reduction”, said Cabalong.
Cabanlong added that their office is continually exerting efforts despite of strict travel restrictions and on October 12, 2021 they were able to neutralize Uring Alyakin Akil, a notorious leader of Uring drug group, an armed drug group known to carry out their illegal drug and gun for hire activities in the city.
Furthermore, she also reported that their office was able to dismantle drug den in this city which resulted to the arrest of five (5) High Valued Target drug personalities and seizure of 8.8254 grams of shabu with a transaction price of twenty-four thousand seven hundred eleven (Php 24,711.00).
A total weight of seized and confiscated illegal drugs are 28.4617 grams with street value of Php 79,692.76 during the said operations.
As of today there are already nine (9) barangays in Isabela City which were declared as drug-cleared barangays namely; Makiri, Kumalarang, Maligue, Lumbang, Lampinigan, Panigayan, Lukbutun, Balatanay and Kapatagan Grande.
As of this month, Cabanlong said that there are still 3 barangays who submitted their requirements and already for deliberation and to be declared as drug-cleared barangays. These are barangay Sta. Cruz, Kapayawan and Small Kapatagan.
Another set with 11 barangays namely Calvario, Masula, Marang-Marang, Sunrise, Binuangan, Panunsulan, Seaside, Baluno, Sta. Barbara, Lanote and Eastside are also candidates for drug-clearing”, said Cabanlong
Cabanlong also stressed explained that due to COVID-19 pandemic, high volume of anti-illegal drug operations was lessened and illegal drug traffickers are reluctant to conduct their illegal drug activity in Isabela City because of the number of arrests conducted lin the previous years.
She further emphasized that PDEA Isabela City Office is dedicated to combat the proliferation of illegal drugs in Isabela City and to efficiently implement their mandate together with Other Law Enforcement Agencies (OLEA). She also acknowledge the active support of LGU Isabela City in strengthening their campaign against illegal drugs.(NBE/NDR/PIA9-Basilan)
