Makati City Mayor Abigail Binay on Tuesday appealed to condominium owners and managers to exercise due diligence in accepting tenants and come up with security measures to prevent drug trafficking and other related illegal activities in their areas.
Binay’s appeal came on the heels of a raid inside a high-end condominium in Barangay Bel-air where P2 million worth of methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as “shabu,” ecstasy pills and drug paraphernalia were seized.
“This incident should serve as a wake-up call to landlords and managers of private condominiums in Makati. I hope you will now be more thorough in screening prospective tenants to ensure that they are law-abiding citizens. It would also be prudent to implement tighter security measures in your buildings, such as a surveillance system that can promptly detect and monitor suspicious activities,” Binay said.”©
Aside from their duty to ensure the safety of all tenants, the mayor said condominium owners should also keep in mind that the reputation of their business is at stake.
“In your line of business, trust is of paramount importance to clients. Any hint of involvement in criminal activities, especially illegal drugs, would make current and prospective tenants feel less secure,” added Binay.
Joint operatives from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Philippine National Police raided Unit 841, Tower D of Jazz Residences on Monday night.
The authorities arrested the condo unit tenant identified as one Joan Cuachon, who was also tested positive for drug use. The suspect is now detained at the PDEA holding center in Quezon City and will be criminally charged.
Binay commended both the PDEA and PNP for their continuing crackdown against the illegal drug trade, and reiterated her administration’s zero-tolerance policy on illegal drugs.”©
“We are serious about making Makati a drug-free city. While we are thankful for the vigilance of the police and PDEA, we also would like to remind our barangay officials they are our first line of defense against the drug menace. Please, be consistently watchful of your communities and ensure that the drug trade does not flourish right in your midst,” she said.
The city government recently spearheaded a series of capacity building programs aimed at raising the level of competence of the city’s law enforcers and force multipliers in conducting the citywide campaign against illegal drugs.
Binay said with more competent and capable enforcers, lapses in operational procedure and filing of cases, including the mishandling of evidence, could be avoided.
The capacity building program is under the 2017 Peace and Order Public Safety plan of the city.