In Negros Oriental, the prices of methamphetamine hydrochloride, popularly known as shabu, has gone up while supply of this prohibited drug has gone down as of latest intelligence information.
Philippine National Police Acting Provincial Director Sr. Supt. Henry Biñas disclosed this Tuesday, saying this is an indication that the government’s campaign against illegal drugs is reaping its benefits in Negros Oriental.
Latest available information from the PNP’s Provincial Intelligence Bureau in the province, headed by Sr. Supt. Crisaleo Tolentino, has pegged the price of shabu at P10,000 per gram, according to Biñas.
Because of the high prices of shabu, not even an ordinary “habal-habal” or motorcycle-for-hire driver can afford the prohibited drug, Biñas added.
Biñas also said that the PNP still continues with the Oplan Tokhang anti-illegal drugs operation.
However, he said the number of people who have voluntarily surrendered to the police, whether a drug pusher or a drug user or both, has already dwindled over the past weeks.
Although the PNP in the province still has a number of targets that continue with their “aggressive moves”, he further disclosed.
With this development, Sr. Supt. Biñas revealed that the next step for the PNP here would be to begin its clearing operations. He did not elaborate what “clearing operations” mean.
It’s a tedious process based on parameters set by the Dangerous Drugs Board to determine and declare afterwards as “drug-free” barangays who have met such parameters, Biñas explained.