photo credits: Google
Approximately 3 kilos of shabu, a potent form of methamphetamine, will be destroyed in an incinerator in Cebu City, according to Major Giovanni Abregana, chief of the Forensic Unit at the Bohol Police Provincial Office (BPPO).
The announcement was made during a radio interview on May 22, 2024, and later confirmed by Lt. Col. Norman Nuez, the BPPO spokesman, during the OPEN FORUM program over DYTR.
The incineration will take place at Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes in Cebu City, with media personalities from across Central Visayas, including Bohol, invited to witness the event.
The said shabu is being transported to Cebu City for destruction due to the lack of an incinerator in Bohol.
As per the implementing rules and regulations of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), the destruction of shabu must be carried out through thermal means such as incineration.
Nuez assured that the incinerator is enclosed and would not release residue into the atmosphere, ensuring complete destruction of the shabu and its chemical components.
The shabu slated for destruction has been ordered to be disposed of by the court.
In the second week of May, the Forensic Unit handed over the shabu to the PDEA regional office. Abregana assured the public that safety measures are in place to prevent the recycling of drugs.
Drug Entry into Bohol Remains a Challenge
Lt. Col. Norman Nuez acknowledged that preventing the entry of drugs into Bohol remains a significant challenge for both the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the PDEA.
He noted that drugs sold in Bohol may originate from adjacent provinces.
While it would be ideal to inspect all cargo and vehicles entering Bohol, the task is challenging due to limited police manpower.
Nuez expressed gratitude for the provincial government’s assistance in providing drug-sniffing dogs at ports to aid in contraband inspections.
Bohol’s extensive coastline also presents a challenge for the police. With 654 kilometers of coastline, it is virtually impossible to guard every area to prevent drugs from entering the province.
Nuez urged residents, especially those in coastal areas, to assist in guarding against drug entry by reporting any unusual activities to the police.
BPPO Engages Vloggers for Community Relations
The BPPO has enlisted the help of Bohol vloggers to assist in disseminating information and fostering community relations. Lt. Col. Norman Nuez, chief of the Provincial Community Affairs and Development Unit (PCADU) at Camp Francisco Dagohoy, made the announcement during his live guest appearance at Open Forum on May 23, 2024.
Nuez recognized the potential reach of vloggers, whose content is more accessible compared to traditional media.
He noted that 95 percent of Filipinos are on social media, and more people are consuming content on platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.
Vlogging has become a lucrative career for many young people, with some successful vloggers earning millions of pesos per month.
Nuez appealed to the public, assuring them that the police are doing their best to maintain peace and ensure Bohol remains a safe place for everyone.