Pubdate: Thu, 12 Aug 2004 Source: Visayan Daily Star (Philippines) Copyright: 2004 Visayan Daily Star Contact: http://www.visayandailystar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1688 Author: JJD Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) POLICE PURSUE 'CLEARING OPERATIONS' IN 7 BRGY'S The Bacolod City Police Office's anti-drug campaign will focus on seven barangays, which Senior Supt. Vicente Porras hopes to "clear" before the year ends. Ponteras yesterday ordered the Bacolod City Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operation Task Group to clear of drugs barangays 2, 3, 22, 27, 29, Punta-Taytay and Villamonte. Brgy. 2 has been tagged as "seriously affected" by drugs due to the presence of drug pushers, while the six others are considered "threatened" to be affected. They (police) have until December to clear these areas of drugs, Ponteras said. He added that the local PNP needs to re-focus the campaign against illegal drugs after their operatives slowed down in anti illegal drugs-related operations because of the recent elections, during which their emphasis was more on maintaining peace and order. The clearing of seven barangays in Bacolod will include intensified monitoring of the entry of drugs during the MassKara celebration in October. The Bacolod Police is expecting drug shipments from Manila, Mindanao or Cebu to enter in Bacolod. That is why "we are doubling our drug monitoring efforts," Ponteras said. The price of a sachet of shabu has increased from P2,000 to P3,000 due to the scarcity of supply, Ponteras noted. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin