COPS UNDER WATCH FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING; SHABU SUPPLY INCREASE

PHILIPPINE Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) regional director Rolen
Balquin Wednesday said they are now verifying reports about police
personnel, active and not, who are involved in drug trafficking.

Balquin said he considers this raw information, adding that that some
cops engage in such activity as a sideline in order to provide for
their families.

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He added that a former police officer, who was dismissed from the
service, is among those being watched for selling drugs.

Balquin refused to name him but the said officer started with the drug
trade after he was dismissed.

"This is just raw information and subject for verification. But we are
not discounting the fact. These persons are now under surveillance,"
Balquin said.

Supply Increased

On the other hand, Balquin revealed that the cost of shabu per gram
decreased in the last two weeks, after its price increased for two
months.

For two months, the price has reached P5,000 per gram and in the last
two weeks, it's now worth P4,000 per gram.

Balquin attributed this to the huge volume of the drug that entered
Iloilo.

"We are monitoring this. Metro Manila and Mindanao are still the main
sources. But, we have no concrete data on who the couriers are, but we
are focusing on that. We also need to establish if the drugs entered
through boats or planes," he said.

Balquin admitted that one reason why drug personalities are able to
sneak in and out is the lack of system in law enforcement as well as
in lack in personnel.