Pubdate: Wed, 11 Oct 2006
Source: Sunstar Pangasinan (Philippines)
Copyright: 2006 Sunstar
Contact:  http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pangasinan/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1726
Author: Liway C. Manantan-Yparraguirre

PANGASINAN FOLKS URGED TO REMAIN VIGILANT V. DRUGS

LINGAYEN -- Pangasinan Vice Governor Oscar Lambino on  Tuesday 
commended residents of Barangay Burgos for  being alert which led to 
the confiscation of several  containers of chemicals that are being 
used in the  making of shabu.

Wilson Bonilla of Barangay Anapao, Burgos reported to  Burgos Mayor 
Domingo Doctor last September 23 the  presence of the used containers 
and other drug  paraphernalia in his pastureland. The seized items 
were  brought to the PNP Crime Laboratory for examination.

Lambino, who is also the executive director of the  Pangasinan 
Anti-Drug Abuse Council (Padac), said the  barangay residents, 
especially members of the Barangay  Anti-Drug Abuse Council (Badac) 
all over the province,  should not relax and be up on their toes always.

"The barangay officials and residents should ask  visitors in their 
areas and if the visitors are foreign  nationals, they should be 
asked to show their  documents. We should be strict to our visitors 
because in China, they are also strict to us and their other  foreign 
visitors," he said.

In 1999, more than 400 kilos of high-grade shabu were  confiscated in 
Barangay Bayambang, Infanta. Also, four  Chinese nationals, who 
cannot speak nor understand  Tagalog, were arrested in Dasol, a 
neighbor of Burgos  town.

"Those engaged in illegal drugs trade look for points  of entry where 
they can pass to Metro Manila to  transact their business. They make 
our area as their  transshipment point because of long coastlines 
here which is from Infanta town (near Zambales) to La  Union," Lambino said.

"That's the reason why the Padac continuously conducts  education and 
information campaign. To keep our youths  and the barangay folks 
well-informed about the problem  on illegal drugs and what they 
should do to prevent  illegal drugs from entering their area," he added.

Meanwhile, Provincial Administrator Virgilio Solis Jr.  said Governor 
Victor Agbayani has directed Police  Provincial Director Alan 
Purisima to investigate the  confiscation of drug containers in the 
town of Burgos.
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MAP posted-by: Elaine