YC CHAIRMAN SAYS HE DIDN'T KNOW MARIJUANA IS ILLEGAL

Ignorance of the law, feigned or not, landed Youth Council chairman
Ringi dela Cerna of Dalaupon Tayasan in jail after he was caught
growing marijuana in his land. Dela Cerna told police that all he
knows is that marijuana is a medicinal plant for stomachache.

The Negros Oriental police arrested dela Cerna last Saturday after
three suspects identified him as the one behind the illegal
plantation of marijuana in the area.

Suspects Roline Espraguera, Romnick Callao and Ronualdo Gador were
nabbed also last Saturday after they were caught planting marijuana
in dela Cerna's land.

The police are now looking into the identity of a certain "Nilo" who
is allegedly supplying the marijuana seeds in Tayasan.

At least 47 seedlings were uprooted during the joint operation of
the PNP Provincial Command, Ayungon police, 705th Mobile Group and
the 61st IB of the Philippine Army in Tayasan.

PNP Provincial Director Melvin Buenafe said they have been
monitoring the areas of Tayasan and Guihulngan after receiving
reports of marijuana plantations in the vicinity.

According to the reports, Senior Superintendent Buenafe said in
early April some residents of Dalaupon harvested 300 full-grown
marijuana plants and delivered these to different areas in the province.

Buenafe said these marijuana plants are usually in secluded areas
and found under scrubs or mixed with other crops.

However, he said some farmers are growing bolder and selling the
illegal plant during agri-trade fairs every weekend in Barangay
Nabilog in Tayasan town.(MOA)