Drugs threaten Batanes
(By: Ana B. Aumentado, Bandillo Batanes, October 2000)

Some 43 grams of methamphetamine, more popularly known as "shabu", were seized by the PNP last February 5, 2000 at Basco Port aboard the M/V Queen Fatima, an inter-island vessel owned and operated by the Batanes Multi-Purpose Cooperative, Inc. (BMPCI). This first buy-bust operation in the province was carried out successfully through the coordinated efforts of the local PNP, the Provincial government and the BMPCI management.

Prior to the operation, an initial apprehension occurred on February 4, 2000 at Barangay Kayhuvukan of Basco where Roden Tagbalay Surban, 27 years old and a native of Aklan, and his wife were stopped on their way to their temporary residence at Basco. Responding to an intelligence report that Surban has in possession the illegal drug (shabu), the alert team was led by Police Inspector Emerito Narag Gasman, Chief of Police assigned at the PNP Basco Station. Apprehending offices found five pieces of shabu in sachets in Surban's back pocket.

Investigation bared that the shabu came from Judito Ortega Progroso, 37 years old, married, designated as second engineer of the said vessel. He is a native of Calacian, Antique and a resident of Caloocan City. Progroso pointed to his roommate Manuel Luzon Albania, 31 years old, single, designated as third engineer and a resident of 1845 Yacal Street in Tondo, Manila as his accomplice.

Police authorities said that the group had been under surveillance for about two weeks. The suspects were believed to be distributors of illegal drugs. They were charge of violation of Republic Act 6425, known as the "Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972."

Gov. Vicente Gato commended the local PNP for their prompt action. He added that illegal drugs shall never be tolerated and that there should be no compromise for the culprits.

Verification with the officials of the BMPCI belied earlier radio reports that the cooperative management knew about the illegal activities of the suspects. In fact, the co-op management extended full cooperation during the entrapment operation.