Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon, Jr. yesterday revealed he gave the order to the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) and the Negros Occidental Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to double their efforts on arresting drug personalities, following a report by PDEA-Region VI (PDEA-6) that called the illegal drug problem in the province “alarming.”

In a press conference yesterday, Marañon also called on PDEA-6 to consider increasing their available operatives in the province.

With regard to NOPPO, the governor urged them to “maintain vigilance” in their campaign against illegal drugs; however, he claimed some officers have become “relaxed” due to the number of arrests made.

He also discussed the recent seizure of P18 million worth of shabu in Dumangas, Iloilo, saying local police need to “shape up,” calling the recovery “[the] tip of the iceberg.”

Earlier, PDEA-6 spokesperson David Garcia said the situation regarding illegal drugs has become “alarming” in Negros Occidental due to the number of drug dens they have dismantled and the large volume of drugs recently seized in the province./DGB, WDJ