Drug problem remains in 37 Albay villages

LEGAZPI CITY—At least 37 villages in Albay have yet to be cleared from illegal drugs despite the government’s intensified antinarcotics campaign in the province, according to the provincial police. Senior Insp. Arthur Gomez, Albay police spokesperson, said among barangays considered to be still drug-affected were 16 villages in Legazpi City; seven in Tabaco City; six in Guinobatan; three in Oas; two in Daraga; and one each in Pio Duran and Sto. Domingo towns and Ligao City. He said 68 villages had been cleared while 37 others were under evaluation by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the local antidrug abuse councils. According to the Dangerous Drugs Board, a village is considered drug-affected if it has “reported presence of drug user, pusher, manufacturer, marijuana cultivator or other drug personality, drug den, marijuana plantation, clandestine drug laboratory and facilities related to production of illegal drugs.” —MAR S. ARGUELLES