Regional director Supt. Amado Marquez Jr. of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Central Visayas announced recently that Region 7 ranked third in the number of convictions last year with 67 percent, or more than 1,000 drug personalities, jailed for violating provisions of Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Most of the cases are in the city and province of Cebu, he said.

Marquez said PDEA noted a sharp decline in the supply of illegal drugs in the region, and added that Mindanao is the main source of drugs.

Due to the scarcity of drug supply, shabu prices also increased, he said.

In early 2005, Oriental Negros Gov. George Arnaiz had formed the Task Force 24 to run against illegal drugs, among others, and this was replicated throughout the region. Meanwhile, PDEA announced that it is recruiting 100 new members and set the examinations on Feb. 26.

Under RA 9165, regular PDEA operatives are given the option to stay with the agency or go back to their mother units, under a five-year transition period.*JG

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