Pubdate: Sun, 20 Nov 2005 Source: Sunstar Dumaguete (Philippines) Contact: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/dumaguete/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2984 Author: Edmund Sestoso Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/meth.htm (Methamphetamine) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/areas/Philippines 23 OF 30 VILLAGES DRUG INFESTED AT LEAST 23 of Dumaguete City's 30 barangays remained infested with illegal drugs. Barangays Looc and Calindagan remained on top of the list despite the accelerated drive against banned substances, shabu and marijuana, and the series of arrests of suspects. Inspector Angela Tan Capellan of the city police's anti-illegal drug unit revealed this during the Kapihan sa PIA forum at Bethel Guest House Wednesday. The forum marked the city's observance of Drug Prevention and Awareness Month. "Less seriously affected" were barangays Cadawinonan, Daro, Piapi, Poblacion barangays 1, 2, and 8, and Taclobo. While Bagacay, Banilad, Bantayan, Batinguel, Bunao, Candau-ay, Cantil-e, Motong, Poblacion 3 and 6, Pulantubig, Tabuctubig, and Talay were referred to as "threatened barangays." Cleared were barangays Bajumpandan, Balugo, Camanjc, Junob, Mangnao, and Poblacion barangays 4 and 5. Capellan said the anti-narcotics campaign might have contained the proliferation of illegal drugs but the supply had not been "significantly cut down." She said 446 people were in the police's illegal drug watch list, 48 of whom have "lain low." Of the remaining 136 identified drug pushers, 59 have been arrested and of the 310 identified users, 60 were arrested. Capellan lamented that an unspecified number of those arrested are out on bail and have resumed their illegal activities. Majority of the drug pushers, she added, were street peddlers and couriers. The police inspector said joint operations among anti-illegal drug agencies have led to the arrest of 99 drug users and pushers and the confiscation of 153.2 grams of shabu and 4.41 grams of dried marijuana leaves and P118,430 believed to be sale from the illicit trade. - ---