by Rene V. Carbayas
ISABELA CITY, Basilan, Jan 21 (PIA) – The
Peace and Development Coordinating Committee (PDCC) also known as Team Basilan
has resolved to re-organize and activate the Provincial Anti-Drug Council to
address the escalating drug problem in the province.
In a recent meeting of Team Basilan,
Provincial Administrator Tahira Ismael recognized the urgency of addressing the
illegal drug situation in the province. She fears that the drug menace has
slowly crept into the different communities in Basilan, after receiving
unconfirmed reports from the ground on illegal drug use.
The representative of the Philippine Drugs
Enforcement Authority (PDEA) who requested anonymity for security reasons
confirmed in the meeting on the rising concern over the proliferation of
illegal drugs in certain areas of Basilan.
The PDEA representative disclosed that for
lack of personnel and resources, agents from nearby Zamboanga City would
provide the needed assistance during legitimate operation and raids in the
area. PDEA was also thankful for the full support and initiatives of the local
police and the military in addressing the drug problem. PDEA has only one agent
for Basilan.
Provincial Police chief PSSupt. Mario
Dapilloza said that with his capacity as provincial director, he has activated
the provincial anti-illegal drugs task force in the police department. With the
deputization from PDEA, the task force was able to arrest the most wanted
person in December last year.
With the situation, Team Basilan has resolved
to craft a resolution requesting PDEA for at least two additional agents for
the province.
“We need at least three PDEA agents, to be
assigned in strategic areas in the province,” Ismael said.