CEBU CITY – Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. lauded the creation of a task force to combat illegal drug activities in the island of Cebu.

Abalos commended Gov. Gwen Garcia for leading the creation of the One Cebu Inter-Agency Interdiction Task Force whose primary goal is to prevent the entry of illegal drugs in all ports in Cebu.
He said the task force should be replicated nationwide especially in areas where illegal drug activities are rampant.
“As it is right now, Cebu has always been Cebu. It’s one of the economic drivers...the tourist itself, the business...because it’s very well-managed of course by the local officials,” said Abalos.
Key members of the task force are the Police Regional Office-Central Visayas, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Central Visayas, National Bureau of Investigation-Central Visayas, Armed Forces of the Philippines-Visayas Command, Philippine Coast Guard, Cebu Ports Authority, Mactan-Cebu International Airport, and Bureau of Customs, among others.
Abalos said the creation of the task force will help improve the peace and order in the island.
“Without peace and order, there will be no progress. They always come together. Let us look around...the world, the problem about drugs will always be there. It’s how you approach and there is no rich or poor in this problem,” said Abalos.
On the national level, the campaign against illegal drugs is anchored on the Buhay ay Ingatan, Droga ay Ayawan or BIDA program.
Abalos said battling illegal drugs should be everyone’s concern. “This is the job of law enforcement agencies but we also need the cooperation of the community,” Abalos said.