SIQUIJOR, January
9 (PIA)—Enrique Villanueva in Siquijor province is the first to
declare as drug-free municipality in Siquijor province following Municipal and
Barangay Anti Drug Councils (MADAC/BADACs) resolutions declaring the town as
such.
“We are very proud that this is
the first time the provincial government declares Enrique Villanueva as drug
free municipality,” says municipal Mayor Gerold Pal-ing as he noted that it
will not happen without the support of the PNP, the town’s legislative body,
the MADAC, and the BADACs.
He said his goal and program is
to support and promote sports development as a way of eliminating drug
activities citing the ongoing sports clinic for young school children and high
schools to divert them from resorting to drugs and other illegal activities.
Chief of Police Felicisimo Aranas
Jr. in his opening statement also takes pride in the declaration saying the
town is truly deserving to be called a drug-free town.
He said that in the past years,
drug related cases in the town is a bit rampant but upon his assumption as
chief of police, he was able to closely monitor and neutralize drug
personalities.
“It is assumed that drug
personalities accepted that they no longer exist,” he said while warning that
the PNP is serious in going after them and possibly put them into jail and will
never allow illegal elements to regroup once again.
“We hope that this effort will
not be taken for granted as we continue work harder in our battle against
illegal drug trade,” Aranas said.
Earlier, Siquior Superintedent
Primitivo Tabujara Jr. of the Siquijor Police Provincial Office declared
all-out war against illegal drugs and challenged the chief of police in all six
municipalities to do their job in attaining a drug-free province.
"Our campaign against
illegal drugs is very serious in nature," he said as he warned to remove
them from their post if they cannot perform what is directed of them.
"I also accept challenge and
dared my officials to also remove me immediately if a am remiss of my job,
he said.
He said the additional
non-uniformed personnel (NUP) in the province is a big help in police
operatives to strengthen anti-illegal drug operation and tracking of
unsolved cases. (mbcn/RAC/PIA7-Siquijor)