Despite the all-out war against illegal drugs, some 512 barangays in Pampanga province are still “infected” by the menace.
This as Pampanga Governor Lilia Pineda wants the provincial government and other bodies involved in the drive against illegal drugs to conduct a coordinated full-scale investigation on the existence of clandestine shabu laboratories in the province.
At least six shabu laboratories had been discovered in Pampanga province – three in Angeles City (Timog, Villa Dolores and Hensonville), one in the City of San Fernando, one in Magalang town and one in Arayat town, the location of the mega shabu laboratory.
The Philippine National Police said 2,698 villages in Central Luzon or 86.97 percent are still infected by illegal drugs. Only 539 villages were cleared as of September 30.
PNP Superintendent Oscar Jacildo, chief of the Regional Police Community Relations Division (RPCRD3) identified those still infected barangays as follows: Aurora, 125; Bataan, 218; Bulacan, 525; Nueva Ecija, 693; Pampanga, 479; Tarlac, 405; Zambales, 203; Angeles City, 33; and Olongapo City, 17.
RPCRD3 personnel conducted inspection of all the provincial and city police offices in their barangay drug clearing operations.
Governor Pineda is yet to receive reports from authorities like the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and even the Department of the Interior and Local Government which oversees frontliners like barangay officials and local chief executives.
“I want to get those reports on shabu laboratories that have been discovered. Gusto kong ipunin at linawin nila ang lahat ng reports na ito for a full investigation. I do not know if I have the right pero probinsiya na ang apektado. Whatever happened to laboratories discovered in Angeles City? In Porac, Magalang and Arayat? About the shabu warehouse in the City of San Fernando? Sa Lakeshore sa Mexico? Gusto nating tumulong sa sa imbestigasyon at ito ay sa lalong madaling panahon,” she said.
Pineda also want to know if the shabu laboratories found in the province are being operated by just one group.
“Are these operated by just one group? Pareho-pareho lang kasi ang mga pangalan nila at madalas nakakatakas. Marami tayong legitimate Chinese investors dito pero paano nakapasok ang mga may shabu laboratories na ito sa atin? Hihingi din tayo ng tulong sa Bureau of Immigration regarding sa mga overstaying ng mga Chinese tourists dito,” Pineda said.
“Yes, our village officials have had lapses but let’s not totally blame them or PDEA or PNP for these laboratories. Ang kailangan ma-imbestigahan ito and establish their connections lalo pa at we are in the center of the region. We are all in this fight together. Makipaglaban tayo laban sa droga for the sake of the future generation.”