This was gleaned during the Year End Assessment of Bantay-Bayan held separately at the Lubao Gymnasium and at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center, this city.
Gov Lilia ‘Nanay’ Pineda said the barangay tanods are the “unsung heroes” of the province who do their duties and risk their lives without expecting enough remuneration from the government or sometimes receiving nothing at all.
Hence, the governor reiterated his appeal to bantay bayan to continue their efforts in helping their respective communities.
“ I am renewing my call for you to intensify your efforts in helping and supporting the province in maintaining peace and order,” the governor told the bantay-bayan.
Police Senior Superintendent Rodolfo Recomono Jr. police provincial director said the bantay bayan who serve as force multipliers were instrumental in maintaining peace and order.
The Pampanga top cop said the arrest of thousands of drug personalities was possible due to the alertness and information coming from the bantay bayan.
“There are several instances that the bantay bayan are helping us in apprehending suspects of criminal offence,” Recomono said.
It was learned that 2,000 drug personalities in Pampanga were arrested this year alone through anti-illegal drug operations with the support of the bantay bayan and barangay officials.
“This is the result of the intensified anti-illegal drug campaign after conducting more than 600 operations for this year with the help of the force multipliers,” the police director said.
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Director Gladys Rosales said that prices of shabu in the province increased.
“From P1, 200, the price per gram of shabu increases to P4, 200. Meaning, many suspects were already apprehended which resulted to the low supply of shabu here in Pampanga,” Rosales said.
During the assessment, food packs, slippers and caps were distributed by the governor together with board members Anthony Joseph Torres and Salvador Dimson Jr, Rosve Henson, Ferdinand Labung, Arthur Salalila, Cherry Manalo, Crisostomo Garbo, Gerome Tubig, Teddy Tumang and former board member Fritzie David-Dizon, DILG Provincial Directot Myrvi Fabia, department heads of the Capitol and other local officials.
