By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Barangay Banago officials yesterday forwarded a resolution to the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), urging law enforcement to ‘seal off’ Purok Sibucao, where wanted local drug lord Ramie Poja previously resided.

Barangay Captain Arnel Benjamin said a number of Poja’s neighbors are actively protecting the alleged drug lord, although some claimed they would like to see Poja captured.

Benjamin said most residents believe, if Poja was successfully captured and convicted, the problem of illegal drugs in the area would also stop.

Earlier, City Drug Enforcement Unit (CDEU) team leader, Police Inspector Adrian James Albaytar, expressed his opposition to the proposal, claiming it would violate the rights of residents in the area.

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