Another town in Maguindanao declared ‘drug-free’

COTABATO CITY -- The town of Shariff Aguak in Maguindanao province has been declared as “drug-free” by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), officials said Wednesday.

Shariff Aguak Mayor Marop Ampatuan said the declaration came Tuesday after the evaluation and final assessment of the PDEA-led oversight committee in a meeting held at the municipal hall.

The oversight committee is composed of representatives of the PDEA, police, military, provincial health office, the Department of the Interior and Local Government, and Shariff Aguak’s local government.

Shariff Aguak, which has 13 barangays, is the second town in Maguindanao to be declared as drug-free by the provincial oversight committee. The first was Paglat town. Late last year, the oversight committee initially cleared eight of 13 villages in Shariff Aguak.

“Since then, evaluation, monitoring, and assessment were conducted by the committee that led to Tuesday’s final declaration,” Ampatuan said.

The mayor attributed the successful campaign against illegal drugs to the active participation of village officials and residents in activities, which included a massive information campaign on the ill-effects of illegal drugs and a rehabilitation and reintegration program for drug dependents.

“I and my father-vice mayor have maintained our stance to eradicate the proliferation of illegal drugs in this town regardless of belief, political affiliation, and influence of individuals,” said the mayor whose father Akmad, is the town’s vice mayor.

He also appealed to the village officials “not to be complacent,” saying the threat of illegal drugs continues to hound Shariff Aguak communities and nearby areas. (PNA)