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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Luzon devider 12 fishermen in Ilocos Sur awarded P50,000 each for returning floating shabu

12 fishermen in Ilocos Sur awarded P50,000 each for returning floating shabu

Published Jun 29, 2024 10:41 am

VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur – The provincial government awarded P50,000  on Saturday to 12 fishermen from Ilocos Sur who voluntarily surrendered shabu found floating on the West Philippines Sea (WPS) this week.

GOV. JERRY SINGSON.jpg

SINGSON (FB)

Gov. Jerry Singson, Provincial Board Members Efren Rafanan and Art Oandasan, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Ilocos  Director Joel Plaza, PDEA-Ilocos Sur chief Noreen Bautista, and Ilocos Sur police chief Police Col. Darnell Dulnuan distributed the reward to the fishermen.

"In honoring our honest and diligent fishermen, we are not just acknowledging their bravery but also reinforcing the importance of community cooperation in safeguarding our future. By choosing to do what is right, they have protected countless lives particularly our children and youth from the dangers of illegal drugs." Singson said.

The reward was announced by Singson during the Joint Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC)-Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC)-Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) meeting at the Provincial Farmers Livelihood Development Center here on Thursday, June 27.

Rafanan confirmed that 12 fishermen will receive the reward after the signing of the resolution extolling their exemplary deed.

Rafanan expects more shabu will be recovered and surrendered to authorities in the province due to the reward.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Moro Virgilio Lazo said that they will also award the fishermen P5,000 per pack of shabu found.

Lazo urged the people to be vigilant in identifying and reporting drug smuggling in the province.

The PDEA-Region 1 said a total of 80 packs of shabu weighing 80 kilos valued at P543.7 million have been recovered in Ilocos Sur and Ilocos Norte.

On June 24, four fishermen discovered 24 packs with Chinese characters in Barangay Solotsolot, San Juan, Ilocos Sur. They weighed 24 kilos and valued at P162.6 million after laboratory tests. Six empty packs were also found and believed to have dissolved in seawater.

Two days later on June 26, a fisherman from Santa Maria, Ilocos Sur found 18 packs while fishing in the sea of Caoayan, Ilocos Sur. These weighed 18 kilos and valued at P121.8 million.

Hours later, five fishermen from Barangay Puro, Magsingal, Ilocos Sur recovered 18 more in the sea of Ilocos Norte. They weighed 18 kilos and worth P122 million.

On June 27, two fishermen found 19 packs in the sea of Barangay Puro weighing 19 kilos and valued at P130.4 million. At 10 p.m., one pack weighing almost a kilo worth P6.7 million was discovered offshore and turned over to authorities.

"These incidents highlight the importance of community awareness and cooperation in the fight against illegal drugs. We commend the fishermen and the other law enforcement agencies for their quick action and appeal to all residents to remain watchful in their neighborhoods," said Plaza. 

To enhance the efforts in combating drug smuggling and ensuring the safety of the coastal communities, Plaza said that it is imperative to establish a coastal watch, a community law enforcement collaboration specifically tailored for coastal municipalities.

This initiative involves the training of local fishermen and barangay officials and equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to identify and report suspicious activities effectively.

Plaza said that a lateral coordination with the PNP, Philippine Coast Guard, and other law enforcement agencies are actively conducting the backtracking and investigation of these incidents to trace the origins and identify those responsible.

They are working diligently with the provincial government of Ilocos Sur to ensure the safety and security of Ilocos region from illegal drug smuggling and trafficking.

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Vigan City Ilocos Sur Floating shabu Gov. Jerry Singson
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