By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) director, Police Senior Superintendent Francisco Ebreo, recently pointed out the need for x-ray scanners at both the Bredco and Banago Ports in the city, noting the local Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) cannot handle 24-hour monitoring at both facilities.

He said the lack of such equipment is a “weakness being taken advantage of by local drug syndicates.”

Earlier, BCPO tapped the city government for assistance in equipping the police in its drive to combat illegal drugs in the city. Ebreo said they currently need a K-9 unit, 311 additional police officers, and other equipments such as body armor and body cameras.

Bacolod City Councilor Caesar Distrito earlier stated the Bacolod City Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) would help equip the BCPO, saying the committee on finance will finalize their request to Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia, who will endorse it for approval by the SP./DGB, WDJ