Ebreo: Resolution calling to seal off Purok Sibucao was ‘crude’

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) director, Police Senior Superintendent Francisco Ebreo, is scheduled to meet with Barangay Banago officials after the latter passed a resolution requesting the neighborhood’s Purok Sibucao be ‘sealed off’ in response to ongoing illegal drug problems in the area.

Ebreo called the  resolution “very generic” and “crude,” claiming they just want to seal off the area without indicating what they really wanted.

“I want to talk to them because we cannot just seal off the area, as we do not want to curtail the movements of individuals in the area,” Ebreo said.

He pointed out they do not want to commit any human rights violation, unless they have an ordinance where non-resident of the area are required to register their identification to officials.

Last week, Barangay Banago officials forwarded a resolution 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.

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