Pubdate: Tue, 18 Jan 2005
Source: Visayan Daily Star (Philippines)
Copyright: 2005 Visayan Daily Star
Contact:  http://www.visayandailystar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1688
Author: Gilbert Bayoran
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/af.htm (Asset Forfeiture)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/rehab.htm (Treatment)

FORFEITURE OF DRUG LORDS ASSETS URGED

The police Anti-Illegal Drug Special Operations Task Force yesterday pushed
for the forfeiture of assets of convicted drug lords.

Deputy Director General Ricardo de Leon said he is proposing that the
confiscated assets and other resources of convicted drug lords be used in
the rehabilitation of drug dependents and in the anti-drug campaign.

De Leon said PNP chief Edgar Aglipay has assigned two lawyers to the
AIDSOTF, which is aimed at fast-tracking the forfeiture of assets of
convicted drug lords.

AIDSOTF records show that three of every five drug-related charges filed by
various law enforcement agencies against drug personalities in Western
Visayas in 2004, had prospered in court

De Leon said the Police Regional Office 6 has recorded 251 cases of drug
convictions last year.

In his dialog with police chiefs and local chief executives at Camp Alfredo
Montelibano Sr. in Bacolod City, de Leon reported that they have been
effective in the supply reduction campaign, citing the series of raids of
shabu laboratories and warehouses all over the country.

De Leon said the series of raids also led to the reduction of an estimated
65 percent of prohibited drug supply being distributed by drug syndicates
nationwide.

Senior Supt. Vicente Ponteras, in his report to de Leon, said four of the
10 members of the Gerald Cuadra drug group operating in Bacolod City, have
already been neutralized through their arrest.

Police records show that Gerald Cuadra is the son of alleged drug lord Jose
Kim Cuadra, who is now detained at the Kalibo District Jail in Aklan on
drug-related charges.

Ponteras, however, said Gerald has been inactive for more that four months now.

He also reported the dismissal from the service of PO1 Harold Villagracia
and PO3 Edwin Yulo who had tested positive for drug use.

Of the 98 drug personalities operating in Bacolod City, Ponteras said they
have neutralized 84. Out of 24 drug affected barangays, he added, that 19
have already been cleared of the drug menace.

Supt. Mark Edison Belarma also reported that 185 of the 201 drug affected
barangays in Negros Occidental were also declared drug-free as certified by
their respective BADACs (Barngay Anti-Durg Abuse Councils).

Records of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology also showed that 50
percent of the inmates detained at the Bacolod City Jail are facing
drug-related charges.

De Leon yesterday rallied the support of local chief executives and various
sectors of the community and asked them to join hands in the fight against
drug abuse.
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