Pubdate: Sun, 16 Jan 2005
Source: Sunstar Iloilo (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 Sunstar Iloilo.
Contact:  http://www.sunstar.com.ph/iloilo/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2986
Author: Ruby P. Silubrico
Cited: Philippine National Police http://www.pnp.gov.ph
Cited: Drug Enforcement Administration http://www.dea.gov

FESTIVAL ANTI-DRUG DRIVE INTENSIFIED

SEVERAL drug personalities in Iloilo City were placed under the tight watch 
of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 6 to prevent the entry of 
drugs during the Dinagyang Festival this week.

"We are monitoring some big-time drug personalities with the help of other 
units to seal off the area (referring to Iloilo City)," Supt. Rolen 
Balquin, PDEA regional director, told Sun.Star Iloilo Friday.

Balquin said anti-drug units hope to receive positive tips from their 
assets and the community.

He added that PDEA 6 is also observing the flow of illegal drugs in the 
region to determine whether the supply has increased or declined.

"We hope that we will have positive operations even as the drug pushers are 
also monitoring our movements," Balquin said.

At present, anti-drugs unit cannot easily conduct raids through search 
warrants because most of the drug pushers are no longer staying in their 
safehouses. They bring their stocks inside their vehicles so that they can 
immediately reach their buyers.

"So the most we can do is conduct buy-bust operations. That is the fastest 
way to do it without procuring a search warrant," Balquin said.

PDEA, along with the Regional Special Operations Group and the Police 
Regional Office 6 (PRO) 6, is also securing sea ports which could serve as 
entry points of illegal drug supply coming to Iloilo.

Meanwhile, the PRO6's Explosives and Ordnance Division will deploy K-9 
sniffing dogs starting today to detect bombs and illegal drugs.

The K-9s will be dispatched in various public places everyday until the 
highlights of the Dinagyang festival.

Chief Supt. George Alino, police regional director, said the police is now 
prepared for the security aspects of the week-long festivities.

A total of 1,000 police personnel and 200 intelligence personnel will be 
assigned to maintain peace and order.
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