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Friday, March 29, 2024

Galera boosts war on drugs

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PUERTO GALERA, Oriental Mindoro—The local government has intensified its crackdown on operators of the illegal drugs trade as reports said unscrupulous persons posing as tourists were sighted in various resorts here.

This developed as Mayor Rockey D. Ilagan ordered a surprise drug test on 194 municipal employees on the 90th founding anniversary of Puerto Galera on Dec. 7.

The drug test was conducted by the Municipal Health Office, headed by Dr. Rodel Gabayan, as assisted by the Philippine National Police. The test result would be submitted by the MHO in a few days.

“If any of the local employees are tested positive for illegal drugs, especially the prohibited shabu, he or she will face dismissal from the government service,” Mayor Ilagan said.

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The local executive also directed Puerto Galera Police Chief Teofilo Awingan to coordinate with the Philippine Drugs Enforcement Agency to plan and “effectively execute the operation without bloodshed.”

He said local authorities are keenly monitoring and apprehending suspected couriers and mules of illegal drugs, as Puerto Galera has multiple entry points, including four seaports connecting the resort town to Batangas City and Abra de Ilog, in nearby Occidental Mindoro, and a land connection from Calapan City.

Barangays San Isidro and Sabang are two of the most frequented village resorts in Puerto Galera by local and foreign tourists, respectively.

Ilagan said there is a pending proposal in the Sangguniang Bayan, headed by Vice Mayor Marlon Lopez, to merge the four seaports into one big port to facilitate the entry and exit of tourists and residents to and from Puerto Galera.

The Balatero, San Isidro (or White Beach), Muelle Cove and Sabang seaports have been operating for so many years to cater to incoming and outgoing visitors and tourists.

“We’re studying the feasibility of joining them together in one big port, possibly in Bgy. Balatero,” the mayor said. 

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