Lacson: San Carlos City supports Duterte’s war on drugs

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Negros Occidental Vice Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson recently challenged Moises Padilla Mayor and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) adviser Magdaleno Peña to prove allegations claiming politicians from the province’s first congressional district are actively protecting drug lords.

In a radio interview, Lacson revealed he recently met with San Carlos City Mayor Gerardo Valmayor, Jr., where they learned  two of the three suspects in the P72 million shabu bust, identified as Armando and Josephine Paraquelles, are not residents of the city.

The two were reported to be part of a newly-emerging drug group in the city; although, Peña believes they are members of the Bertucio drug group, which reportedly operates within the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.

Lacson, meanwhile, said he is confident politicians in San Carlos City are not protectors of illegal drug suspects, pointing out, the anti-illegal drugs campaign was the city’s top priority even before President Rodrigo Duterte came to office.

The vice governor, however, also believed illegal drugs pass the city through its port.

Lacson added, the city itself would be difficult for illegal drug suspects as local residents fully support Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs.

Last week, Peña criticized Lacson for not prioritizing the campaign against illegal drugs, adding, Negros Occidental needs “iron hand” leaders.

He also revealed six kilograms of shabu recovered in the aforementioned bust originally came from an 18-kilogram shipment, with 12-kilograms already distributed among drug dealers in Bacolod City and other parts of Negros Occidental.

He added, the recent large-scale seizures in Bacolod City were part of the original 18-kilogram shipment./DGB, WDJ