Another drug pusher in the capital town of Virac fell into the hands of the police authorities during a buy-bust operation last Dec. 13, 2023 in barangay Concepcion.
A source identified the suspect as one Angelo Zuniega, 32, a resident of the barangay, who was arrested by combined elements of the Virac police, PDEA Catanduanes, Provincial Intelligence Unit and Regional Drug Enforcement Unit.
The suspect yielded three plastic sachets containing suspected shabu, the boodle money and non-drug items. He will face appropriate charges for violation of RA 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Virac remains one of the few municipalities yet to be declared as “drug-cleared” by the Regional Oversight Committee on Barangay Drug Clearing (ROCBDC)
Last week, the committee approved the declaration of Bato and San Andres towns as “drug-cleared and drug-free” along with 21 barangays from Camarines Sur, Naga City and Albay.
The two LGUs were represented in the deliberation by Bato Councilor Renz Mickenly Tanael and San Andres Municipal Administrator Adoracion Suaviso, with both attesting to their commitment for the continuous undertaking of monitoring and sustainability programs in their respective localities.
Also present via online were the LGU core teams, BADAC Officers of applicant barangays and PNP counterparts.
For Bato, those who attended the deliberations online were Municipal Health Officer Dr. Reah Lovella Tindugan, MLGOO Jose Rogel Maglaqui, and PMaj Kenneth Ding Gutierrez.
Attending on behalf of San Andres were police chief PMaj Emsol Icawat, PSSg Maricel Masagca, and MADAC members MLGOO Neil Evangelista and MSWDO Abegail Peralta.
According to PDEA Catanduanes Director IAV Roberto Sebastian, the agency is optimistic that Virac, Caramoran, Baras and Gigmoto would all be declared drug-cleared by next year.
He explained that the delay in the four towns’ making it to the list is due to the failure of some barangays to complete the documentary requirements as well as the presence of drug personalities monitored by the police.
Baras would be next, followed by Gigmoto and Caramoran, with the capital town coming up last as it has the most number of barangays among the 11 municipalities, the PDEA official said.
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Congratulations to the newly elected Liga ng mga Barangay municipal federation presidents in each of the 11 towns.
The new ABC presidents, as they were called before, are: Philbert T. Rojas of Libod Poblacion, Bato; Edgar Tenorio of Sagrada, Baras; Ryan C. Bonayon of Cahan, Bagamanoc; Rodelio A. Riosa of Supang, Caramoran; Paolo J. Camacho of Poblacion District III, Gigmoto; Solomon R. Trinidad Jr. of Baldoc, Pandan; Tito V. Villamor of Santa Maria, Panganiban; Honesto V. Lumabi of San Roque, San Andres; Jose T. Tianela of Dayawa, San Miguel; Gerardo T. Olfindo of San Pedro, Viga; and Danilo A. Romero of Ibong Sapa, Virac.
They will serve as ex-officio members of their respective Sangguniang Bayans. But on Jan. 15, 2023, one of them will be elected president of the provincial Liga and sit as provincial board member.
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This writer would like to personally express his gratitude to businessman Alex & Lynette Ang Hung, TGP Cong. Jose “Bong” Teves Jr. and Virac Mayor Samuel Laynes for the early Christmas gifts. May your thoughtfulness be rewarded by the Almighty!
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PROMO UNDER THE MISTLETOE. Jennifer was a pretty 18-year-old girl. In the week before Christmas she sauntered up to the curtain counter, and was trying to decide which of the many types of tinsel she would buy. Finally, she made her choice and asked the spotty youth who was manning the fabric section: ‘How much is this gold tinsel garland?’
The spotty youth pointed to the Christmas mistletoe above the counter and said: ‘This week we have a special offer, just one kiss per meter’.
‘Wow, that’s great’, said Jennifer, ‘I’ll take 12 meters’.
With expectation and anticipation written all over his face, the boy measured out the tinsel, wrapped up the garland, and gave it to Jennifer.
She then called to an old man who had been browsing through the Christmas trees and said: ‘My Grandpa will settle the bill.’