Pubdate: Wed, 17 Sep 2003 Source: Sunstar General Santos (Philippines) Copyright: 2003, Sunstar Contact: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/gensan/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2450 BARANGAY BULA NOW DRUG-FREE BARANGAY Bula was added to the list of city barangays that were recently declared drug-free by police and local government officials. Chief Insp. Maximo Layugan, Bula precinct commander, said the number of suspected drug pushers and users who surrendered in the barangay showed that the police exceeded their target. "So far, duna na kami 124 ka mga reformist nga nag-ingon na dili na gayud sila mosulod pa sa maong kalihokan," Layugan said. (There are already 124 reformists who pledged they would never go into illegal drugs again.) On Tuesday, barangay officials accompanied local government officials and police authorities in the symbolic surrender ceremony held at the barangay hall. Some of those who surrendered have already been arrested for various illegal drug activities, Layugan said. Also, 11 big time drug pushers in the barangay were reportedly neutralized as a result of the anti-drug campaign of the City Government. "Sa drug watch migawas didto nga dunay 11 nga ania sa Bula. Pito na ang nadakpan, duha ang nakaekyas samtang ang duha ang mibalhin og laing lugar (There are 11 big time pushers in Bula. Seven were arrested, two escaped while two others left the place)," said Layugan. Nurds Bandamlan, who was shot-dead by motorcycle-riding gunmen last Sunday, was among the two identified drug pushers in Bula who escaped and failed to avail of the government's amnesty program that expired last Monday. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh