BUTUAN CITY: The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has declared the province of Dinagat Islands (PDI) “drug-free.”
PDEA 13 spokesperson Dindo Abellanosa said that the declaration was made during the ceremonies held at PDI provincial capitol on Wednesday.
In recognition as the first province in the Caraga region to be cleared of illegal drugs, PDI was issued a certificate signed by Aileen Lovitos, director of the PDEA Caraga, on Jan. 23.
PDI, which comprises seven municipalities, met PDEA’s requirements for the validation and declaration of its drug-free status.
“Meaning all of the province’s seven towns and 100 villages have been cleared of drug users and pushers,” the PDEA 13 spokesperson said.
A “drug-cleared” status also means that authorities have verified and confirmed the non-availability of narcotics supplies in the barangay and absence of drug pushers and users, a drug laboratory, warehouse, or drug den on top of the active involvement of barangay officials to combat illegal drugs, he said. (Mike U. Crismundo)
CAMP GENERAL ALEJO SANTOS, Bulacan: A motorcycle thief was killed while 14 others were arrested on the third day of Bulacan police simultaneous anti-criminality operations.
Senior Supt. Chito G. Bersaluna, Bulacan police director, said an unidentified motorcycle thief was killed after evading a checkpoint manned by his men in Barangay Maguinao, San Rafael, Bulacan, at about 12:45 a.m. Thursday.
San Rafael police said they conducted a hot pursuit operation after receiving a report that a black-red-orange Rusi motorcycle was forcibly taken from its owner by two unidentified men in Barangay Diliman 1st.
The suspects were intercepted by a mobile patrol unit conducting a Commission on Elections checkpoint on Cagayan Valley Road in Barangay Cruz na Daan, San Rafael.
The two suspects fired shots at the pursuing police officers, prompting them the lawmen to retaliate. One of the suspects died while his cohort managed to flee.
Meanwhile, seven suspected drug peddlers were arrested during a drug sting. They were identified as Natalio Bernardo Ocampo Jr., RJ Moreno Valdez, Jeffrey Roman Makalinaw, Johnson Isidro Paloma, Arjhan Santos Fabian, alias “AJ,” Mark Arvin de Guzman Co alias “MacMac,” and Edwin Flamini Sayo.
Confiscated from the suspects were 27 plastic sachets of suspected shabu and the buy-bust money.
Six wanted persons were also apprehended by police teams in different parts of Bulacan. In a police response, one Bong Bartolome Paragas, 24, of Barangay Sta. Rosa II, Marilao, Bulacan, was arrested for theft. (Freddie C. Velez)
VIRAC, Catanduanes: An Indian passenger was arrested after marijuana leaves wrapped in paper was found in his pocket at the airport here yesterday morning.
Indian Lovedeep Singh was frisked by security officers while he was about to enter the departure area for his flight to Manila.
While Singh admitted using marijuana, he said he was not aware that it is still illegal in the country because it can be bought anywhere here.
Also found in his possession were a piece of foil and a lighter which authorities consider as drug paraphernalia. (Jinky A. Lou Tabor)
SUBIC, Zambales: A former barangay councilor was critically wounded when car-riding armed men shot him while driving his tricycle in Barangay Cawag here.
Chief Insp. Bryan Maguddayao, Subic police head, said Bernard Madamba, 46, a tricycle driver and former barangay councilor, was driving his Euro 150 Daan Hari tricycle with his three passengers when a blue Toyota Innova blocked his path.
Occupants of the Innova fired shots at Madamba and immediately sped off.
The victim, who sustained two bullet wounds in the head and left arm, was rushed to Baypointe Hospital at the Subic Bay Freeport.
He is currently in the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital, police said.
Police are still investigating the incident. (Jonas Reyes)
