OROQUIETA CITY, Misamis Occidental (PIA)—Gov. Henry S. Oaminal urged the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), January 31, to be more aggressive with their programs against illegal drugs. 

"Illegal drugs should stop in the province, the situation is alarming dapat hindi tayo mag-complacent (we should not be complacent). 

Ang (the) ultimate goal in the province is to zero the drugs," he said during the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC) and Misamis Occidental Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (MOPADAC) meeting at the Asenso Misamis Occidental Sports and Cultural Center.

From January to December 2022, PDEA MisOcc Assistant Provincial Officer Agent Patricio S. Alerta, Jr. reported that eleven (11) buy-bust and high-value operations were conducted and 11 drug personalities were arrested. Meanwhile, three drug dens were dismantled and 16 drug personalities were arrested. 

According to PDEA, the main source of shabu in Misamis Occidental is Lanao del Norte, per information gathered from the arrested drug personalities. Majijuna, on the other hand, comes from either Luzon via online sales and commercial couriers or from Bukidnon via land trip.

Alerta also presented that 417 barangays have been drug cleared, 20 barangays declared as drug-free, 53 remaining affected barangays in the whole province of Misamis Occidental to be declared this year, and six cleared municipalities and cities: Bonifacio, Concepcion, Lopez Jaena, Panaon, Don Victoriano, and Tangub. Furthermore, all cleared barangays in Plaridel and Jimenez Town have been provisionally declared.

A total of five Balay Silangan Reformation Centers operate in the province, in Bonifacio, Clarin, Oroquieta, Plaridel, and Tangub City. 

Moreover, the governor underscored the importance of the interventions initiated by the Philippine National Police in Misamis Occidental. 

Provincial Director PCol Marlon L. Quimno reported that seven were arrested for illegal drugs and another seven for illegal drug operations, and 10 loose firearms were confiscated by virtue of a search warrant.

For illegal gambling in the month of January 2023, there were 84 personalities arrested and 24 operations conducted.

Quimno also discussed the interventions of the PNP against illegal drugs.

"We need your guidance and support sa matag police station para ma-achieve nato kung dili man ma-zero, mahinay nato ang drug trade dinhi sa probinsya (at every police station so we can succeed; if we can't get to zero, we can at least cut down on the drug trade here in the province)," he said.

In the meantime, Oaminal has asked the PDEA to come up with and implement a plan or programs to reduce or get rid of the supply in the province.

"I assure to give all the support not only financial support but all the support to back up your people and to back up our government forces that whatever happens the government will here to protect the operatives in achieving that goal," the governor emphasized. 

Oaminal’s administration will ramp up efforts to counter illegal drugs, deter crime, and safeguard the environment. (SMRN/PIA-10/Misamis Occidental)