PDEA NegOr warns call center agents vs. drug syndicates
by Jennifer Catan-Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY March 9 (PIA) -- Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-NegOr warned Overseas Filipinos Workers (OFWs) and call center agents against the new scheme of international drug syndicates.
In a Kapihan sa PIA forum today PDEA Special Investigator Ivy Oledan noted an alarming increase of OFWs who have been recruited as drug couriers by drug syndicates abroad.
However, Oledan said so far none from Negros Oriental is reported as drug courier in other countries but asked the public never to take chance.
Drug syndicates are using Filipinos who are financially unstable and use this vulnerability to advance their illegal drug trades.
Drug Agent said drug syndicates are becoming innovative the way they conceal illegal drugs by swallowing and for women to hide them in their private parts which is too dangerous because of its tendency to burst while inside the body and cause sudden death.
By all means, foreign recruiters will use different kinds of people to carry out the crime, to include call center agents as drug couriers because they have good communication skills.
While Metro Dumaguete is a university town has an influx of call center firms, the possibility is not remote that illegal drug syndicates want call center agents who are articulate as drug couriers, PDEA officer said.
With this, according to PDEA a Task Force Drug Courier will be launched in Negros Oriental for a massive information drive to prevent and protect would be drug victims and strengthen the fight against drug trafficking in the province. (PIA NegOr./JCT)
Drug arrests in Negros Oriental up
by: Rachelle M. Nessia
DUMAGUETE CITY, March 9 (PIA) --- Drug-related arrests are on the rise in the province since January this year following a relentless anti-illegal drugs campaign by the provincial police force here.
For the first two months of this year, the number of arrests of drug personalities here is already nearly 50% of the total drug-related arrests last year.
Police records show that between January to February this year, 32 individuals engaged in illegal drugs operations were arrested, compared to the 73 total drug-related arrests in 2011.
“Our accomplishment for drug arrests for the first two months of this year is already nearly half of our total accomplishment last year. This is due to our relentless campaign against illegal drugs which is jointly done with PDEA and Task Force Kasaligan,” said Provincial Police Director Col.
Rey Lyndon Lawas during the Kapihan forum held today by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) here at Plaza Ma. Luisa Suites Inn.
Lawas said the provincial police force is giving priority to the illegal drugs problem in the province as this will lead to other problems in the community.
Even policemen are not spared by the government's drive to stamp out illegal drugs, as Lawas revealed that three cops here are now facing drug-related charges after two policemen were tested positive for the presence of methamphetamine hydrochloride in their system while the third cop was caught in the act during a buy bust operation.
A surprise drug test was also conducted this afternoon at the provincial police office where 88 new police personnel have been assigned.
“We are cleansing our own ranks of individuals who are engaged in illegal drugs. When it comes to illegal drugs, we mean business,” stressed Lawas. (RMN/PIA-7 Negros Oriental)
GSIS to dialogue with members in Negros Oriental
by: Rachelle M. Nessia
DUMAGUETE CITY, March 9 (PIA) -- The Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) here will hold a dialogue with some 200 GSIS members in the province on March 11, 2011 at the Dumaguete Cathedral Credit Cooperative building.
The forum which will start at 2:00 in the afternoon will serve as a venue for GSIS officials to share updates from GSIS under its new management with the liaison officers and agency authorized officers of remitting government agencies here.
Robert Vergara took over the helm of GSIS as its president and general manager, a seat vacated by then GSIS President Winston Garcia.
Two top officials from GSIS Manila, one of whom is Salvacion Mate, vice president for operations in Northern Luzon and Visayas, will sit in the forum, said local GSIS Information Officer Risty Villahermosa.
Villahermosa said the dialogue, which is a first for Negros Oriental, is one of a series done annually by GSIS nationwide.
Various issues concerning GSIS will be tackled during the forum such as remittances and membership concerns.
A similar forum will also be done in Siquijor sometime in May which is under the coverage of GSIS in Negros Oriental.
There are currently around 18,000 GSIS active memebrship in the provinces of Negros Oriental and Siquijor. (RMN/PIA7 Negros Oriental)