‘Narcopolitics’

Residents of Banacon, Getafe, Bohol ‘need to find other source of livelihood’

Supt. Ricky Delelis, BPPO spokesperson, admits that winning the hearts, minds of Banacon will be difficult as they are still mourning the death of suspected drug lord Rowen Secretaria who reportedly gave them rice, supplied neighborhood with electricity

INTRODUCE residents of Banacon Islet in Getafe, Bohol to other means of livelihood and educate them about the ills of illegal drugs.

These will be suggested to the Bohol Povincial Government and Getafe town officials, said Supt. Ricky Delelis, Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) spokesperson.

Police have said some residents were indebted to suspected drug lord Rowen “Yawa” Secretaria, who was reportedly kind to them by giving them rice and supplying the neighborhood with electricity.

Public knowledge

Delelis, in a phone interview, admitted it would be hard for police to win the hearts and minds of the people as they are still mourning the death of Secretaria, who was killed with two of his men during a shootout with operatives of the Police Regional Office 7.

The official said Sec- retaria’s involvement in illegal drugs was public knowledge. Barangay officials, too, reportedly knew about his activities.

“The people are playing blind,” said Delelis.

The raid happened on the eve of Banacon’s fiesta.

The islet is located 15 to 20 minutes by motor banca from the mainland.

Aside from Secretaria, Dario Torremocha and John Jason Montes were also killed during the raid. Delelis said they might reach out to residents of Banacon after Secretaria is laid to rest.

PRO 7 Director Patrocinio Comendador Jr. had sent two teams from the Regional Public Safety Battalion 7 to Banacon to diffuse the tension.

Transhipment point

A couple believed to have served as Secretaria’s lookouts died last Sunday.

Police believe they were killed for failing to detect the arrival of the operatives.

Comendador earlier described Banacon as the transhipment of illegal drugs that reach Barangay Ermita in Cebu City, LapuLapu City and Cordova and other parts of Cebu Province, Siquijor, Bohol and parts of Leyte.

Delelis said rogue personalities bring their contraband to Bohol’s coastal towns.

“It is hard to guard them because their points of entries are not the ports,” he said.

Illegal drugs are also rampant in Tagbilaran City, Tubigon, Jagna, Talibon and Jubay.

The BPPO seized 44.4 grams of shabu worth P523,920 and arrested 28 persons in 23 operations last month.

Delelis said they have their own list of big-time drug pushers in Bohol who get their supplies from Metro Manila and Ozamiz City.