By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) yesterday expressed its opposition to a proposal to “seal off” Purok Sibucao, located in Bacolod City’s Barangay Banago, as a result of a recent raid on a home owned by suspected drug lord Ramie Poja.

In a radio interview, CDEU team leader, Police Inspector Adrian James Albaytar, said he still believes that majority of the residents living in the area are against illegal drugs.

Albaytar also affirmed an earlier statement by BCPO director, Police Senior Superintendent Francisco Ebreo, saying Poja has employed a “Robin Hood” style approach when it comes to escaping law enforcement operatives.

He pointed to another reason why he is against the proposal, claiming it would violate the rights of residents in the area.

“Poja is not that strong in the area,” he said. “It was blown out of proportion.”

Last week, Police Regional Office-6 (PRO-6) director, Police Chief Superintendent Cesar Hawthorne Binag, ordered police in the province to capture Poja, who previously evaded arrest.

The operation, however, ended in the arrest of Roberto Rodriguez and Steve Libo-on, whom police believe to be working for Poja./DGB, WDJ