Bulalacao: Negros is a ‘hub’ for drugs

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Police Regional Office-6 (PRO-6) director, Police Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao, said illegal drugs remain a “big problem” in the Western Visayas, especially in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City.

According to Bulalacao, drugs are a particular problem in Negros because the island has developed into a “transhipment hub” for illicit substances, including shabu, with shipments being sent out to Cebu, Manila, and Mindanao. In response, authorities are currently implementing a “calibrated approach” in dealing with the illegal drugs and other criminal activities.

He added, with seaports in Negros Occidental “poorly-manned,” PRO-6 has already coordinated with the Philippine Coast Guard to deploy more personnel to the province, including K-9 units.

Meanwhile, despite acknowledging the effort made by Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office director, Police Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Castil, Jr., and Bacolod City Police Office director, Police Senior Superintendent Francisco Ebreo, in combating the drug problem, Bulalacao still believes there are police officers and politicians in the region protecting drug personalities./DGB, WDJ