Pubdate: Sun, 03 Jul 2016
Source: Manila Times (Philippines)
Copyright: 2016, The Manila Times
Contact:  http://www.manilatimes.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/921
Author: Thom F. Picana

ABRA TOPS CORDILLERA'S ILLEGAL DRUGS PROBLEM

CAMP DANGWA, LA TRINIDAD: Of the six Cordillera provinces, Abra has 
the worst problem on illegal drugs, according to the Philippine Drug 
Enforcement Agency (PDEA-Cordillera Autonomous Region).

PDEA-CAR spokesman Joseph Calulut said about 136 villages out of 
1,176 in the region are being monitored for the narcotics trade. 
Among the provinces, Abra has the highest number of drug-affected 
barangays, followed by Baguio City.

The same report revealed that Benguet, Ifugao and Kalinga have 17 
drug-affected barangays each; Apayao has 13, while Mountain Province 
has only four villages found with illegal drugs users.

Calulut said these villages underwent thorough assessment and 
evaluation before they were classified as drug-affected, pursuant to 
standards being followed by the agency.

Drug affected villages are those with drug users, drug pushers and a 
drug trader, while severely drug affected barangays are those with 
existing drug laboratories, among others.

Just as PDEA was evaluating the illegal drugs situation in the 
provinces, at least six drug dealers were arrested in a series of 
intensified operations in the capital town of Bangued and in Kalinga province.

Those arrested were identified as Janetter Timbreza Alzate from Tayum 
town, who was caught selling drugs in front of the Abra Provincial 
Jail in Calaba, Bangued.

Alzate, who has a pending case for drugs was found with heat sealed 
plastic sachets of 'shabu,' marked money and drug paraphernalia.

Also on the same day, Nelson Bilgera of Cosili village in Bangued, 
was busted with a heat sealed plastic sachet containing 'shabu,' 
cellphones and P500 marked bill.

Next to fall were Terrence Payo Guinaban, a native of Lagayan in Abra 
and facing drugs case; and Eleazar Velasco Casel of Zone 7, Bangued.

Another 32 drug users turned themselves in during the drug symposium 
conducted by Mankayan police at the village of Suyoc, Mankayan last 
week, while four drug traders were arrested in separate operations.

The confessed drug users said they surrendered for fear of the 
perceived worse consequence under the Duterte administration, adding 
that they are willing to undergo rehabilitation to lead a new life.

Meanwhile, joint operatives of Buguias police and CIDG-Kalinga nabbed 
businesswoman Aileen Dionisio Aligo also known as "Bea", of Ud-udan, 
Ampucao in Itogon; Jordan Ganasi Landisan alias "Kokan" of Bulalacao, 
Mankayan; and Elvis Canuto Begay of Buguias, inside a videoke bar 
owned by Aligo at Dalog Building in Upper Abatan, Buguias.

Seized from their possession were three plastic sachets containing 
'shabu' worth about P4,000 and P1,000 marked money, and drug paraphernalia.

In Baguio City, Mark Yu Ong of Banaue Avenue in Quezon City (Metro 
Manila) was caught in possession of 1.5 grams of 'shabu' while inside 
one of the inns at Abanao Street Extension.

PDEA operatives said 'shabu' has since become the drug of choice in 
the highlands, even as the mountainous region still produces the best 
quality and highest bulk of marijuana in the country.

'Shabu' is reportedly being shipped into the region by big-time drug 
personalities while marijuana is being shipped out of the region and 
distributed to other regions which also command a high demand.

Marijuana thrives best in the far-flung communities of Benguet, 
Ifugao, Kalinga and Mountain Province as well as in its 
tri-boundaries with La Union and Ilocos Sur.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom