P700-T MARIJUANA BURNED IN COMVAL

AN ESTIMATED 1,500 hills and 10,000 seedlings of marijuana worth
P700,000 went up in smoke as Compostela Valley officials intensified
their anti-illegal drugs campaign.

On December 12, at the Manat National High School in Nabunturan,
Governor Jose Caballero and daughter Kristine Mae led the ceremonial
burning of marijuana recovered by authorities in New Bataan on
November 23.

Also attending the burning were Col. Antonio Amodia, of the Army's
404th Brigade, and Senior Superintendent Nestor Quinsay, of the
provincial police.

Provincial Board member Kristin Caballero, who is also the action
officer of the provincial anti-drug abuse council (PDAC), said
continuous raids on marijuana plantations in the province are just one
of the many responses and plans they have to curb illegal drugs in the
area.

She said they are also holding massive information drives in several
schools to educate the students on the ill-effects of illegal drugs
and how to avoid it.

Reports are rife that many drug pushers from Davao City had
transferred their illegal operations to Compostela Valley.

Quinsay said though they have not monitored any big drug syndicates in
his area of responsibility, but added that they are not taking any
chances.

He said they are now monitoring some personalities involved in illegal
drugs trade and in no time, he promised, the suspects will fall.