DPWH employee falls in Southern Leyte drug ops

MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, July 9 (PNA) - Operatives of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Maasin City police nabbed an employee of Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) - Southern Leyte for selling shabu to a police poseur buyer Thursday night here.

PDEA regional information officer Rogelette T. Urgel identified the suspects as Roel Adobas, 45, resident of Laboon village and a driver of DPWH, Southern Leyte.

The suspect has been under surveillance by PDEA and police operatives for months already until they conducted a buy-bust operation.

A PDEA agent, who acted as pusher buyer, purchased from the suspect two pieces of heat-sealed plastic sachet, containing shabu. The deal was done in Combado village, this city.

Adobas is now temporarily detained at the Maasin City police station jail, while, facing a case for violation of Republic Act 9165 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

DPWH - Southern Leyte District Engineer Ma. Margarita C. Junia is determined on helping drug dependent employees to avail the services of the Department of Health Treatment and Rehabilitation Center in Dulag Leyte.

On Aug. 17, 2015, at least 23 employees of DPWH Southern Leyte district engineering office were found positive of illegal drugs - 17 of them were job order employees and six permanent personnel.

The six regular employees tested positive of illegal drugs use, together with those 12 laid off workers submitted themselves to a one-on-one assessment procedure, which aimed of finding out the extent of drug dependency and its suitable rehabilitation process.

Junia said that majority of the 23 workers joined the rehabilitation process, but some stopped attending weekly sessions, including Adobas.

The police regional office urged the public to support them in this campaign and report immediately to the nearest police station of any suspected illegal activity. (PNA)
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