Members of the Bohol Provincial Peace and Order Council ((PPOC) were ecstatic and heaved a sigh of relief during the council’s meeting Thursday after learning that the Department of Justice conceded to the body’s request to put up a Special Drugs Court in Bohol. A resolution to this effect and approved en masse was submitted some weeks ago. This developed even as law enforcers took the fight against illegal drugs on a higher level with the arrest of the so-called drug queen in Tubigon and the apprehension of seven drug suspects in the city. Gov. Edgar M. Chatto, PPOC chair, was obviously beaming when he delivered the good news during last Thursday’s meeting which was beset with reports regarding illegal drug abuse said to have become rampant in the province. The special drugs court would possibly be presided over by Judge Sisinio C. Virtudazo who is currently handling cases in the Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 4 based in Tagbilaran City. Judge Virtudazo was also one of the judges who administered the oath-taking ceremonies of newly and re-elected provincial government officials last June 30 at the Bohol Cultural Center.

HIGH GEAR ON ILLEGAL DRUGS

In Tubigon town, Police Senior Insp. Christian Torres acting chief of police, took matters in his own hands in causing the arrest of the prominent drug personality in the municipality last week, identified as Aquilina Subrado alias Inday. Torres said that since his installation as the acting chief of police for almost a month ago, he received reports that Subrado is back on her illegal drug trade despite having a lot of drug cases undergoing trial inTagbilaran City. On Aug. 23, with a well-planned entrapment plan, Torres and a back up, PO1 Jofel Manatad went to Subrado’s house and pretended to buy illegal drugs using a marked money and arrested the suspect. The team also recovered the drugs paraphernalia and another related items and the amount of P6,200. The suspect was brought to the Bohol provincial police office as there is no detention cell for women in Tubigon. The complaint for the sale of illegal drugs was filed with the provincial prosecution office last Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Supt. Romeo P. Perigo, officer -in-charge of the Tagbilaran City police office, submitted to Gov. Chatto last Thursday the summary of drug personalities arrested for the last two months. Based on Perigo’s report, there were seven drug personalities arrested during the months of July and August. All the drug suspects are now facing cases in court for violation of Republic Act 9165. They include Jomar Doblas, Alberto Galao, Azarias Veloso Jr., Roberto Pahang, Pableo Lumantas, Lou Cardino and Sandy Payot.

CPP/NPA/NDF TARGETS OSYs

Some PPOC members voiced out their concerns on the matter which, they said, has now become a menace in the community, especially targeting our out-of-school youths (OSY), who are seen as more vulnerable because of too much idle time to burn. It has also been earlier reported that these OSYs are now the ones being targeted by the CPP/NPA/NDF, whom the latter are planning to mobilize later on to help them push for their cause. Gov. Chatto has already given a directive to acting Provincial Social Welfare and Development Officer Mita Tecson to meet with the Heads of Offices of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Bohol Employment and Placement Office (BEPO), the Department of Education (DepEd) and other possible stakeholders to discuss the mechanics of giving skills trainings to the youth, especially the OSYs.

SUMMIT VS ILLEGAL DRUGS

Provincial Prosecutor Macario Delusa proposed for a province-wide drug summit. This will be attended by all stakeholders in order to have the most comprehensive and most thorough discussion covering every nook and cranny of this most hazardous pest threatening the peace and tranquility of every Boholano family. Prosecutor Delusa’s proposal was widely embraced by the council for during the workshop among Bohol’s chiefs of police and its local chief executives earlier this month, where each group was made to list down their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, otherwise known as the SWOT analysis, the drug problem pushed its way to the top as one of the province’s primary concerns which needs immediate attention and solution.

VOLUNTARY CONFINEMENT

Meanwhile, the three district chiefs of Parole and Probation in Bohol informed that “anyone who wishes to enter voluntary confinement and rehab to free oneself from drug addiction can now write their respective offices so arrangements could be made.” Interim LMP President Mayor Efren Tungol of Albur stressed that the current illegal drugs situation, not only in Bohol but also in the entire country, should be addressed collectively by all. It should involve the national government down to the grass roots level in the barangays for he firmly believes that “no drug pusher or user could ever survive if everyone of us would do our share in guarding our most-priced assets, our people.” For indeed, how could an illegal drug pusher or user continue doing his illegal stuff if anyone and everyone who sees a person would point an accusing finger at them, making them feel inadequate and worthless as a person, with apparent apprehension and imprisonment hanging over their heads like a sword of Damocles?

UTILIZATION OF BARANGAY TANODS

Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) Director PSSupt Dennis Agustin, urged local chief executives to mobilize their barangay tanods to work in tandem with the PNP. This is to effectively hold police operations for the positive apprehension and arrest of criminals. Gov. Chatto and Col. Agustin were one in saying that “what our people need is not just police visibility but most importantly, police presence, to effectively deter would-be offenders in carrying out their illegal activities.” (jlv/EDCOM}