200 women on drug watchlist in Western Visayas

At least 200 suspected female drug dealers are on the watchlist of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Western Visayas. The list includes more than 1,100 drug personalities in the region, Visayas news site The News Today reported. PDEA Western Visayas officer-in-charge Paul Ledesma said these women are reportedly engaged not only as drug pushers, but are also drug users themselves. Ledesma said drug dealers allegedly use women as "fronts" of drug traders through prostitution. Women are reportedly also being used as “conspirators" in maintaining drug dens. The PDEA in Region 6 (PDEA-6) previously identified 23 drug dens in the region, 11 of which were neutralized last year. Ledesma said the arrest last week of Janet Salvador a.k.a. “Bingka" of Brgy. Bakhaw in Mandurriao district confirms their report that women are playing a major role in illegal drug operations in the region. Salvador, 30, was caught in a sting operation conducted by joint operatives of Iloilo City Police Office and the PDEA-6 Wednesday. Ledesma said Salvador is included in their watchlist. Ro-Ro vessels used to transport drugs Ledesma said the PDEA-6 personnel are intensifying their monitoring of roll-on, roll-off (Ro-Ro) ports in the region to prevent the entry of illegal drugs in Western Visayas. He said those into drug trafficking are allegedly taking advantage of the Ro-Ro system to transport prohibited substances. PDEA-6 cited data indicating cases of illegal drugs had increased in towns where there are Ro-Ro ports. Ledesma said PDEA-6 is working with the Philippine Coast Guard in Region 6 (PCG-6) in enforcing preemptive measures. The Coast Guard has deployed K9 dogs in seaport areas to help detect the possible entry of illegal drugs and explosives. The PCG-6 has 10 K9 or bomb sniffing dogs scattered regionwide. K9 dogs deployed to Muelle Loney and Fort San Pedro in Iloilo City; Boracay Island; Bacolod City, and Dumangas, Iloilo. Commodore William Melad of PCG-6 said the K9s inspect of port facilities, vessels, cargoes, and baggage. –VVP, GMANews.TV