At least five barangays in Dumaguete have been categorized by the Philippine National Police (PNP) as “seriously affected” by the illegal drugs problem.
This was disclosed by Sr. Insp. Zosimo Jabbas, chief of the intelligence section of the Dumaguete police, during a Kapihan sa PIA forum Tuesday.
Sr. Insp. Jabbas identified these barangays as Looc, Calindagan, Cadawinonan, Bagacay and Bajumpandan.
The inclusion of Bajumpandan in the list came as a surprise to some who attended the forum as the outskirts village was perceived to be undisturbed in comparison to the others that are openly known as hangouts or hideouts of suspected drug pushers and where illegal drug trade is prevalent.
Juancho Gallarde, a media practitioner and incoming barangay kagawad of Bajumpandan, in the forum questioned the police parameters in the inclusion of Bajumpandan in the list of areas “seriously affected” by the illegal drugs trade.
According to him, he was surprised because two other barangays, namely, Piapi and Tinago, where regular police anti-illegal drugs operations are usually carried out, were dropped from the same category after they were “cleared”.
Sr. Insp. Jabbas explained the parameters in the classification of barangays affected by the illegal drugs problem, specifically, low, moderate and seriously affected.
Areas classified as seriously affected are those where trading of illegal drugs is at a high level, among other parameters.
The declaration of a “cleared” barangay, meanwhile, is based on certain procedures such as a workshop where validation of these areas is held based on a report from barangay officials as well as a certification from them, Jabbas added.
Re-elected Bajumpandan village chief Orlando Enquig, during the same forum, admitted that a perceived influx of suspected drug personalities in his barangay.
He, however, lamented when the barangay holds an anti-drugs symposium, the attendees usually are parents or individuals that are not into the illegal trade.
Those perceived to be engaged in the use or sale of illegal drugs have not responded to the barangay’s invitation to these dialogues, he added.
Enquig requested for a copy of the list drug personalities in his barangay to aid the village officials in their efforts to curb the problem at their level.
However, Sr. Insp. Jabbas said this was not possible as the intelligence list is “classified” and only when a certain drug personality’s activities are verified through monitoring and surveillance can information be passed on to the village officials. (PNA/JFP)
