For Dauis police chief, Lt. Thomas Cheung, he categorically stated that the drug problem is something that cannot be totally solved, since even advanced countries in the world are also struggling with the issue of drugs.
“Maging realistic na lang ako. I’ll be frank. Ang problema sa drugs dili na sya maundang. Look at other countries, mao pod ang ilang problema. Illegal drugs is a business,” he said during his radio interview aired over dyTR’s “Open Forum, Bukas nga Panagsultihay” on Feb. 15, 2023 hosted by Ardy Araneta-Batoy and Gloria Leodivica Araneta.
Cheung said that the drug trade enables people who have no means to earn a living and to earn a quick buck by selling illegal drugs.
He said there is a way to reduce the drug supply but the demand remains constant and this is why the drug problem is difficult to solve.
DRUG SYNDICATE IN DAUIS?
Cheung said that he cannot be certain about the existence of a drug syndicate operating in Dauis. He still needs to validate such claims.
This comes after he was asked to comment on the assessment of Dauis mayor Roman Bullen who said that there is a drug syndicate operating in Dauis.
Bullen made the statement on Jan. 25, 2023 which was after a buy bust operation where authorities seized about P8.5 million worth of alleged drugs from a certain John Albert Iter.
Bullen, speaking to reporters on Jan. 25, 2023, said he believes a drug syndicate is operating in the town.
Cheung, however, cannot categorically say if the assessment of the mayor is correct.
The mayor of Dauis faces charges before the Ombudsman after he linked Vice Mayor Marietta Sumaylo and Dauis’ Liga ng mga Barangay president Josever Sumaylo to the drug trade. Bullen said in public and captured in a footage that circulated in social media that the couple was allegedly included in the matrix which is in the possession of former President Duterte. The said matrix allegedly contained the names of drug lords in the country.
President Duterte has denied that he saw the names of the Sumaylos in the list of drug lords in a video uploaded to the social media account of the vice mayor of Dauis.
WHY DAUIS?
Cheung was asked: why most of the high profile drug buy bust operations lately were conducted in Dauis?
He answered that the police in Dauis have been working hard to conduct follow-up operations leading to the arrest of drug personalities who yield millions of pesos worth of alleged shabu.
He said the areas of Dauis, Panglao and Tagbilaran City have become a rendezvous point of drug personalities. These areas are attractive to drug pushers because there are a lot of people living in these places.
Thus, there are more users living in these said areas who allegedly are willing to purchase the illegal drugs for their consumption.
