In the run up to the May midterm elections, drug suppliers and users had been arrested here and there as the city government and government agencies intensify the drive against illegal drugs in Angeles City, something that mayoral bet Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr. has vowed to eradicate as a public servant.
On Thursday morning, joint elements of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Angeles City Drug Enforcement Unit and the Angeles City Police Office (ACPO) arrested a certain Mary Anne Buntas Dedic, 35, during a buy-bust operation at the Sta Maria Village 2 Subdivision in the business district of Balibago. Dedic who was arrested at 8-13 Katherine St., Sta. Maria, Village 2, Barangay Balibago, yielded methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu worth P4.8 million.
Dedic was arrested after a police-poseur buyer was able to purchase one kilogram of shabu worth P1 million. When the operatives pounced on her, Dedic yielded a black bag containing two pieces of plastic sachets, one USSC identification card and one piece of digital weighing scale.
The arrest of the lady pusher proved that illegal drug was rampant not only in Angeles City but elsewhere in the country. Is the government losing the war against illegal drugs? After countless lives lost since the start of the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, the illegal drugs big wigs are still at it and there
How many shabu laboratories were uncovered in Angeles City? A shabu lab was discovered in Timog Subdivision, in Barangay Pampang; Hensonville Subdivision, in Barangay Malabanias; and Villa Dolores, in Barangay Sto. Domingo. In all these raids, not one big fish was arrested.
At this juncture, Pogi Lazatin seeks to ensure that Angeles City will be drug-cleared with the establishment of functional Barangay Drug Anti-Drug Abuse Councils throughout the city’s 33 barangays.
An informant gave in Dedic and in the same way the active participation of the communities will eradicate the problem on illegal drugs. Pogi Lazatin said a community-based reformation center will provide trainings and livelihood for offenders who will become productive members of the society. Pogi Lazatin will encourage and mobilize SK officials to become active anti-drug advocates implementing a unified drug advocacy program for the youth.