LIGA HEAD DARES PDEA TO NAME BRGY DRUG CODDLERS

The president of the Liga ng mga Barangay in Iloilo City has dared
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Director Roybel
Sanchez to name village officials who are confirmed protectors of drug
traffickers.

Ex-officio city Councilor Irene Ong said the information about village
officials being drug coddlers has been around for several years, yet
PDEA has not done any step to curtail illegal drug trafficking and
drug addiction in the city.

"We want PDEA to be specific in its report and not just resort to
shotgun allegations. We want this because we want to cleanse our ranks
and conduct the necessary measures to ensure that city barangays are
safe," Ong said in reaction to the report of Sanchez.

"We also want the barangay captains or the barangay officials to
answer and defend themselves from the accusations," Ong added.

Sanchez earlier said that some barangay officials in the city had used
drug money in running their campaign in the October 2007 barangay
elections. He, however, did not elaborate on the matter.

PDEA reported that all the 180 barangays in Iloilo City are affected
by illegal drugs. Forty-five of which are threatened, while 18 are
seriously affected.

Most of the illegal drugs proliferated in the city are shabu,
marijuana and ecstasy.

Sanchez said the PDEA operations against drug traffickers are hampered
because some barangay officials are protecting the illegal activities.

Sanchez also assured that PDEA agents will remain vigilant and would
closely watch the illegal drugs proliferation in the city, especially
that three major festivals are coming up here.

Ong said the Liga is willing to help and cooperate with the police and
PDEA in the campaign against illegal drugs. She added the association,
however, finds it difficult to cooperate for lack of proper
coordination and information from the drug enforcement agency. (LCP)