Pubdate: Tue, 18 Jul 2000 Source: Manila Times (Philippines) Copyright: The Manila Times 2000 Contact: Cortada St, Ermita, Manila City, Philippines Fax: (632) 524-5667 Website: http://www.manilatimes.net/ Author: Mike Banos DRUG PROBLEM IN PRO-10 WORSENS CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY--The number of barangays affected by prohibited drugs under the areas of responsibility of the Philippine National Police Regional Office in Region 10 (PRO-10) has increased by two-thirds in the second quarter of this year. As if this wasn't enough, another 27 policemen have tested positive for prohibited drugs. Only 70 of 1,025 barangays were reported to be drug-affected for the first quarter of this year, but the figure has risen to 120 by the second quarter. Bukidnon topped the list with 50 affected barangays, followed by Cagayan de Oro with 44, Misamis Oriental with 21 and Camiguin with five. Supt. Emmanuel Z. Lluisma, PRO-10 public information officer, said 351 drug pushers and 247 drug users in the region still remain to be "neutralized." Intelligence reports indicate the drugs coming into the region originate from the cities of Ozamiz, Cebu and Marawi. To counter the threat, Lluisma said PRO-10 was conducting drug awareness seminars in the affected barangays and schools, while volunteer organizations such as the Barangay Against Narcotic Abusers and Traffickers (BANAT) and anti-drug abuse councils run after the drug pushers and users. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens