By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/PNA
MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday urged fishermen and residents to keep on reporting any suspicious item following the discovery of bricks of cocaine in some coastal areas of the country.
“Ang ating lamang magagawa dito ay magtulong tulong tayong lahat lalo na yun mga fishermen (What we can do here is let us help each other especially our fishermen),” PNP spokesman, Senior Supt. Bernard Banac Banac said in press briefing at Camp Crame.
“Tulungan po natin ang PNP na marecover lahat pa na mga nandun. Kung sakaling meron pa kayong makita, ipagbigay alam na natin. (Let us help PNP to recover if there are still (cocaine bricks) there. If you have seen suspicious item, let us know),” he added.
Banac warned that possession of prohibited drugs is usually non-bailable offense.
“They should not make money out of it. They should be aware that they will end up in jail if they are caught in possession of the cocaine,” Banac said.
Meanwhile, Banac thanked the local residents and fishermen who reported at least 90 bricks of cocaine they found off the waters and shorelines of Dinagat Island, Camarines Norte and Surigao del Norte last week.
“Your active participation in our anti-illegal drugs law enforcement operations and maintenance of peace and order continues to inspire us in performing our mandate as provided for by law to fight illegal drugs with utmost respect for human rights,” he said.
Banac said the bricks of cocaine discovered last week are for distribution to other countries and not in the Philippines.
