By LITO RULONA,
Correspondent
Balingasag municipal mayor Marrietta Roa-Abogado appealed to the public to support her campaign against illegal drugs. This, despite members of her family have been arrested by the Drug Enforcement Agency – northern Mindanao during anti-drug operation at their ancestral home here, last month.
Abogado made the appeal during the opening of their “Pasigahan sa Plaza” last Thursday evening even as she assured the public that the proliferation of illegal drugs has stopped in her town.
She pleaded to the 30 local barangay executives who attended the program to help her and put a stop to the bickerings.
“Atong padayonon ang tinambayayonga sa atong lungsod alang sa atong katawhan. Usa lang akong hangyoon isip Christmas wish with (the) theme Malinawon nga Katilingban, Mauswagon ang Katawhan. Let us walk for peace for Balingasag. Peace is love and help me fulfill this,” Abogado said.
She also appealed to unify themselves for a change in attitude and behavior towards their parents.
“Unta wala na’y kabataan nga maglatagaw matag-gabii. Unta wala na’y ginikanan nga maghilak tungod sa ilang mga anak nga nalulong sa illegal drugs. Unta karong panahuna wala na’y illegal nga mosulod. And I know we can make it,” she said.
Last month, Abogado’s siblings lawyer Michael Roa, Porferio Roa Jr., nephew Johnrey Roa, and Johnrey’s live in partner, Justine Mae Pondavela, have been arrested and tested positive for drug use in tests conducted right after their arrest.
Anti-narcotics operatives raided the ancestral house of the Roa’s in Barangay 5 in Balingasag and implemented the search warrant against Michael Roa which resulted to the confiscation of some 40 grams of suspected shabu worth around P200,000.
All those arrested were charged for different provisions under the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act or Republic Act 9165. Michael and Porferio were charged for possession of illegal drugs (Section 11) and illegal drug use (Section 15). Porferio Roa was also charged for possession of illegal drug paraphernalia (Section 12). The couple John Rey and Pondavela were charged with possession of illegal drug paraphernalia (section 12) and illegal drug use (section 15). Section 11 of the said law is non-bailable.
Abogado in an interview said they have faced several challenges under her administration but added she kept on wishing these would be eradicated if she imposed positive things under her administration.
“Makita nato karon nga aduna na’y kausahan. Unity for change na gyud ang among gisubay,” she said.
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