Tuesday, September 11, 2007 Gingoog top drug problem: PDEA By Stephen Capillas
THE regional office of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) affirmed its initial findings that Gingoog City, a component city of Misamis Oriental, is as among areas severely affected by the drug menace.
In Monday afternoon's appearance before the Provincial Board, Regional PDEA Director Glenn dela Torre said that with the marijuana plantation in Gingoog City, it faces a serious drug problem, compared to other towns in Misamis Oriental.
Dela Torre confirms findings from the provincial and municipal police precincts that Gingoog is among the areas where drugs are coursed to Cagayan de Oro, but he declined to give specific details.
"The other areas include Talakag town and the cities of Malaybalay and Valencia in Bukidnon. We have no details yet on the marijuana plantation in Gingoog City including who owns it but we have confirmed its presence," dela Torre said.
Dela Torre said major drug syndicates are operating in Cagayan de Oro and the city is a major transshipment point for drugs to other parts of Mindanao.
Municipal police in Balingoan town, Misamis Oriental said some drug pushers have been spotted operating in their area. Still, dela Torre said this is not as serious as in Gingoog City.
Provincial Board member Franklin Bade called on the PDEA and fellow Board member Wayne Militante to establish Gingoog City as the pilot project for the Provincial Capitol's anti-drug campaign.
