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. - --- MAP posted-by: Elaine