LU agencies, local gov’t tackle state of peace and order

June 18, 2017 Provincial

Gov. Francisco Emmanuel “Pacoy” R. Ortega III convened the Provincial Peace and Order Council (PPOC), La Union Anti-Drug Abuse Council (LUADAC), Council of the Five Pillars of Criminal Justice System (CFPCJS), and the Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) in a joint meeting on June 5, 2017 at the Diego Silang Hall, Provincial Capitol, City of San Fernando, La Union. The joint meeting was highlighted with different presentations discussing the peace and order situation of La Union from January to May of 2017.
To start the meeting, Governor Pacoy commended the La Union Provincial Police (LUPPO) for successfully neutralizing Salvador “Amang” Marzan Jr and Enrico Gil “Ikong” Magarde who are the number one and number four top personalities respectively on the list of high-value targets in the anti-illegal drug campaign in the region. LUPPO also put a stop to the string of school robberies by catching the suspects in the act robbing Rissing Elementary School in Bangar, La Union. Two were gunned down while trying to elude police while the other conspirators were intercepted in Sudipen.
Police Chief Superintendent Leo M. Francisco, LUPPO Provincial Director, reported that they have intensified their campaign against violation of special laws particularly on Illegal Drugs, Loose Firearms, Illegal Gambling, Illegal Logging and Illegal Fishing. LUPPO recorded a total of 163 index crimes which is the lowest in Region 1, and also beating the other provinces by getting 85.89% Index Crime Clearance Efficiency (ICCE) and 49.69% in Index Crime Solution Efficiency (ICSE). With regard to illegal drugs, LUPPO declared that 390 out of 439 barangays previously under its watch list in La Union are now drug free.
Jeoffrey S. Tacio, Regional Director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) – Region I showed data that indicates a 500% increase in the price of shabu. He explained that the sharp increase in the price of the drugs is indicative of a successful drug campaign. The Director is confident that a drug free La Union will be achieved if the joint effort started will be sustained.
With the Province of La Union winning the award for being the Cleanest, Safest and Greenest Provincial Category at the recently concluded State of the Region’s Development Conference held on May 9, 2017 at the Vigan Convention Center, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, Governor Pacoy assured the attendees that he has all the intention to sustain this strong momentum towards a brighter La Union and towards making the province the Heart of Agri-Tourism in Northern Luzon by 2025. MARCEL A. FLORENTINO, PITO-La Union / ABN