Anti-illegal drug enforcers makes headway in Cagayan Valley region

MANILA, Nov. 29 (PNA) - The vision of a drug-free Philippines by the year 2010 has been partially realized in Cagayan Province after the series of successful anti-drug operations that resulted in the neutralization of major local drug groups by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)in close cooperation and coordination with regional counterparts from the Philippine National Police (PNP), National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and other key law enforcement agencies.

PDEA Director General Dionisio Santiago said that out of the nine local drug groups that were targeted by PDEA in Region 2, six regular and two newly identified local drug groups have been neutralized for the year 2008 alone.

According to a comprehensive report from Chief Inspector Primitivo C Bayongan, Jr., Regional Director of PDEA Regional Office 2, the local drug groups that were taken down this year are the following:

1.ALMAZAN Group, leader Eduardo Salvosa Amlazan was arrested on January 13, 2008;

2.ALMONDIA Group, the leader Alfredo Cababa Almondia was caught on April 21, 2008p;

3.LACAMBRA Group, a newly identified syndicate; its leader Ifan Lacambra was arrested on May 22, 2008;

4.SANTIAGO Group, another newly identified drug group; Roger Tiongson Santiago, the leader was arrested on June 19, 2008;

5.MANNY MUSLIM Group, the leader, Manubar Anal Datuimam was arrested on July 6, 2008;

6.LAMAN Group, the group leader, Josie Laman was caught on August 4, 2008;

7.PASCUAL Group, is considered neutralized because the group leader, David Pascual is suffering from drug-induced psychosis due to heavy use of illegal drugs; and

8.PONCE Group, its leader, Jimmy Ponce was arrested on September 16, 2008

Santiago said that the 89 percent neutralization rate of PDEA Regional Office 2 was achieved through a winning formula that was conceptualized during the PDEA Command Conferences and Intelligence Workshops.

Following the guidance of the PDEA Director General, Bayongan and personnel of PDEA Regional Office 2 implemented intelligence driven operations and target prioritization.

They likewise established linkages with the intelligence units of different law enforcement agencies, particularly the NBI Regional Office; Cagayan Police Provincial Office; Police Regional Office (PRO) 2 intelligence Division; and the different Chiefs of Police in the Region.

They likewise worked hard on establishing credibility winning the support of the local chief executives, particularly mayors and governors while coordinating closely with other government agencies and non-government organizations in Region 2 to support the Drug Supply and Demand Reduction Programs.

The PDEA chief lauded the efforts of Bayongan for his pro-active leadership style and the personnel of PDEA Regional Office 2 for their healthy and symbiotic relationship with law enforcement counterparts, thus leading to the string of accomplishments.

“There is no turf war between PDEA and other law enforcement agencies because the contributions of the PNP, NBI, Bureau of Customs and other counterparts are duly acknowledged while the authority and mandate of PDEA as the lead anti-drug agency is recognized and respected”, he added.

He also cited the full support of local officials and the residents of Cagayan as great contributory factors to the landmark accomplishments.