Acting Philippine National Police (PNP) Provincial Director Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. shared that information allowing the recent 180-kg methamphetamine or “shabu” drug bust came primarily from the community and was collated by the PNP Anti-Illegal Drugs Group (AIDG).
The Ilocos Norte Police Provincial Office (INPPO) was then tapped alongside the Cagayan Police Provincial Office (CPPO) for the joint operation done last July 3 in Brgy. Culao, Claveria, Cagayan.
Intensifying police efforts against illegal drugs and other crimes has been a priority for Gov. Imee R. Marcos, who stated in her 2015 State of the Province Address, “The first requisite of development is peace and order.”
“Kailangan ang tulong ng barangay, ng kabataan, upang mabuwag ang malalaking sindikato… We challenge the military and the police to reduce illegal firearms and to end motorcycle shootings,” she had added.
Just last month, two Ilocano drug personalities were gunned down in Paoay and Bangui: Raymund Weil Pobre, number eight on the provincial watch list, and Rolando Garvida, number six. The cases occurred within less than a week of each other.
Nartatez assured, “I have already directed the concerned police stations and chiefs of police to… investigate the case and identify the perpetrators of the same.”
He revealed his speculation that these were committed because “sawa na rin yung mga tao, kasi… alam naman nila kung sino yung mga drug personality sa area.”
“The seizure in Cagayan is a validated report coming from the populace already… the possibility is sawa na yung mga tao. Andami nang nasira na pamilya… dahil sa illegal drugs, so maybe sila na ngayon ang gumawa niyan. That is one possible motive that we are looking at,” he added.
“Ilocos Norte ang gusto nilang puntahan kasi hard-hitting tayo sa illegal drugs,” Nartatez explained regarding the AIDG enlisting the INPPO’s role for the bust despite the location being in another region.
Even briefing for the Claveria operation, he said, had been done at the INPPO.
In addition to arrests, the INPPO also strengthens their campaign against illegal drugs through regular drug symposiums, whether in schools, barangays, or public markets. Mandatory drug testing among all police personnel is also ongoing.—Mizpah Grace G. Castro, PGIN-CMO
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