MORE DETENTION CELLS EYED FOR NEGRENSE DRUG SUSPECTS

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, National Bureau of
Investigation and the Philippine National Police will not stop running
after drug suspects, despite apprehensions that government will run
out of cells for them.

PDEA chief SPO1 Manuel Boy Sanchez said Task Force 24 would even
strengthen its resolve to rid the streets of pushers, users and suppliers.

With the declaration of President Gloria Arroyo for an all-out war
against illegal drugs, the task force will not lower its guard against
drug personalities in Dumaguete and Oriental Negros.

On the other hand, Sanchez said he believes that the drugs court is
doing its task of conducting marathon hearings on arrested suspects.

He said the government might just have to construct additional cells
exclusively for drug offenders. The present city jail, which has a
capacity of 100, is now crowded with more than 200 inmates, 60 percent
of whom face drug-related cases.