PDEA monitoring Boracay gateway, major west Visayas ports as drug transshipment points  

Authorities are keeping tabs on Caticlan and other ports in Western Visayas as possible drug transshipment points during the dry season, an Iloilo-based news site reported Wednesday.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency director Paul Ledesma said K-9 units were deployed to major seaports since March 29 to detect drug smuggling attempts, The Daily Guardian reported.

Ledesma said they are particularly keeping watch over Caticlan Port in Malay town in Aklan, the gateway to world-famous Boracay Island resort.

Other ports being watched include those in Iloilo, Loboc International Port, and Muelle Loney Port in Iloilo City; and Estancia, Ajuy, and Dumangas ports in Iloilo province.

Ledesma noted Caticlan Port is a major port for roll-on roll-off vessels in Panay Island, and ships from Luzon and Mindanao pass by this port.

PDEA operatives are also watching the Bacolod Real Estate Development Corp. (BREDCO) facility in Bacolod City and the ports of San Carlos City, Victorias City, Escalante City and Pulupandan in Negros Occidental.

On the other hand, the PDEA is working with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) in monitoring airports in Iloilo, Kalibo, Caticlan, Roxas City, and Bacolod-Silay.

Authorities have intensified their actions against drug traffickers especially during the dry season, when vacationers flock to beaches and other tourist destinations.

Last March, the Philippine National Police's Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force mapped out "summer offensives" against drug traffickers to make sure drugs do not find their way to parties and gimmicks.

A report on Journal Online added police are watching out for illegal drugs not only in Boracay but also in Aklan, Palawan, Bohol, Cebu and Puerto Galera in Mindoro Oriental. — Joel Locsin /LBG, GMA News