Gov. Edgar M. Chatto has called on the entire Boholano community to join and help government forces in intensifying the war against illegal drugs. In a statement, Chatto has directed all municipal mayors to step up the campaign against drug abuse in their areas of responsibility by tapping the municipal and barangay peace and order councils, parents, teachers and school organizations. The governor urged all authorities to closely monitor the possible influence of substance abuse on their children or youth under their care. The governor's call came as the war against illegal drugs suffered a temporary setback with another police officer killed by a suspected drug pusher Friday. The drug lord was eventually killed in a shootout with the Guindulman police last night (see headline story).

Police identified the suspect as Artemio Tare Jr. who gunned down P01 Michael June Ejoc, of the Provincial Intelligence Branch in Camp Dagohoy.  Ejoc was killed after he was hit in the head by a volley of fire when Tare was firing at the police from the inside of the house.  His three other companions - P01 Rinan Tagotongan, P03 Judito Jasmin and P01 Carlito Gamalo – were also critically wounded but are now recuperating in the hospital.  House owner Belinda Itong Tesorero, 34, single and said to the companion of the suspect inside the house, is now under police custody for further investigation, City police chief George Vale said, adding that Tesorero may be facing a separate suit. Vale said that the policemen were responding to the tip of pot session was going on at that time which later turned out to be positive after verification. There was no need for court's issuing search warrant since the information of actual pot session was positive.

The persistent campaign against illegal drugs trade in Bohol has yielded positive results with the death of drug lord indentified as Romulo Caño, alias “Inday Buno”, and arrest of his followers as a result of the raid in his two residences in Ubay town last week. Meanwhile, police are still probing into the killing of Fernando Verula Jr. alyas “Tambok” who was killed lately along Zamora building, this city, by fellow drugs dealers for allegedly failing to remit drug sales.  Meanwhile, former governor Victor de la Serna appeared to be espousing the Duterte's way of solving illegal drugs trade during an interview with engineer Maurito Lim's radio program yesterday.  Mayor Rodrigo Duterte of Davao City apparently succeeded in his campaign eradicating the drugs menace. He is reportedly accused of summary execution on illegal drugs traders by the Commission on Human Rights. Dela Serna said that “extreme situation needs extreme solutions.”

The former governor has hinted that the Davao-style of eliminating illegal drugs in Bohol is now a matter of survival for the province. He cited a case in point of what PSInsp Roland lavisto had told him of a drug-related case in Clarin town that was dismissed. De La Serna said he told Lavisto “”gidiretso na lang unta ninyo'g kuan,” short of saying exterminate them (illegal drugs dealers) “aron masampolan.”  Dela Serna, a bar topnotcher, offered a free legal service to any police who might be entangled in drug-related cases.  He expressed admiration over the leadership of Col. Dennis Agustin who initiated a relentless drive against illegal drugs trade and abuse. He rallied the people for support to this campaign because police officers “cannot do it alone.” (RVO)