By Joey Pavia
Insider INI
ANGELES CITY – “Apprehension and rehabilitation.”
Thus said Gov. Lilia “Baby” Pineda as she declared a “total war” against illegal drugs, urging barangay leaders and cops to cooperate in stopping “the menace to society.”
Pineda said they should rally the residents to fight illegal drugs “which kills the very foundation of life.”
In her speech at anti-drugs summit here last week, Pineda said the provincial government will help the Central Luzon Drug Rehabilitation Center (CLDRC) in Magalang town “reform and rehabilitate” victims of drug addiction.
She visited former Arayat Mayor Benny Espino, CLDRC executive director, shortly after the summit to inform him about his plans to create a two-storey building at the only drug rehabilitation center in Central Luzon “for minors who are victims of drugs.”
Pineda disclosed that drug pushers penetrate progressive areas in Pampanga. She added said that “almost all worst crimes are happening with the aid of drugs.”
“Worst,” she said, “the youth are severely affected by drugs which destroy their future.”
Based on the report of the Philippine Drugs Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) the areas most affected by illegal drugs in the province are this city, Mabalacat, Lubao, Magalang and Floridablanca.
“As you notice, the areas are either first class municipality or cities,” said Pineda in the dialect.
Pineda urged leaders to convince their people to report drug pushers operating their respective village.
“They don’t have to identify themselves. All they have to do is to report to our hotlines,” said Pineda. She gave one cell phone to each police unit in which is open 24 hours a day.
PDEA, on other hand, gave its number – (02) 920-0967 – for those who want to report drug pushers and their illegal activities.
Pineda said the Pampanga Mayors’ League (PML) led by Candaba Mayor Jerry Pelayo supported the establishment of a PDEA office in Clark. She added that the PDEA’s presence at the Clark will prevent drug syndicates from using the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) as transhipment point.
PDEA Director General Jose “Sonny” Gutierrez disclosed that the top drug choice in the country is “still shabu.” He added that is followed by Marijuana and Heroine.
Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan said his government “fully supports the initiative of Pineda.” (30)
