By Tara Yap
ILOILO CITY—Mayor Jose Espinosa III reiterated the need to clear more barangays (villages) from the menace of the illegal drug trade.
Iloilo Mayor Jose Espinosa III (Facebook/ Manila Bulletin)
“I made it clear that I’m pursuing the drug-clearing operations,” Espinosa told Manila Bulletin.
Of the 180 barangays in the city known as the regional capital of Western Visayas, only three have been cleared by the regional oversight committee on barangay drug-clearing operation.
“We need to work harder to increase the number of drug-free barangays,” Espinosa added.
Espinosa also emphasized that barangay officials must “disengage” if they have any links to illegal drug trade.
The mayor also vowed he will not lift a finger to help barangay officials who have been tagged by either the Philippine National Police (PNP) or Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) as narco-politicians.
This came after barangay captain Keith “Dabing” Espinosa of Monica Blumentritt tried to meet with Chief Supt. John Bulalacao, director of Police Regional Office (PRO-6).
Barangay captain Espinosa, the wife of suspected drug leader Jesus “Jing-Jing” Espinosa Jr., is now fearing for her life.
Last month, unknown assailants shot and killed then barangay captain Remia Prevendido-Gregori of Bakhaw village, She was the sister of slain alleged drug lord Richard “Buang” Prevendido.
Authorities also arrested Noel Odicta, the then outgoing barangay captain of Tanza-Esperanza and the brother of slain alleged drug lord Melvin “Boyet” Odicta Sr.
Just last week, cops also arrested Noemi Jablo, who was the former barangay captain of Desamparados.
Iloilo Mayor Jose Espinosa III (Facebook/ Manila Bulletin)
“I made it clear that I’m pursuing the drug-clearing operations,” Espinosa told Manila Bulletin.
Of the 180 barangays in the city known as the regional capital of Western Visayas, only three have been cleared by the regional oversight committee on barangay drug-clearing operation.
“We need to work harder to increase the number of drug-free barangays,” Espinosa added.
Espinosa also emphasized that barangay officials must “disengage” if they have any links to illegal drug trade.
The mayor also vowed he will not lift a finger to help barangay officials who have been tagged by either the Philippine National Police (PNP) or Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) as narco-politicians.
This came after barangay captain Keith “Dabing” Espinosa of Monica Blumentritt tried to meet with Chief Supt. John Bulalacao, director of Police Regional Office (PRO-6).
Barangay captain Espinosa, the wife of suspected drug leader Jesus “Jing-Jing” Espinosa Jr., is now fearing for her life.
Last month, unknown assailants shot and killed then barangay captain Remia Prevendido-Gregori of Bakhaw village, She was the sister of slain alleged drug lord Richard “Buang” Prevendido.
Authorities also arrested Noel Odicta, the then outgoing barangay captain of Tanza-Esperanza and the brother of slain alleged drug lord Melvin “Boyet” Odicta Sr.
Just last week, cops also arrested Noemi Jablo, who was the former barangay captain of Desamparados.