Tinglayan, Kalinga – Three individuals suspected of cultivating marijuana were arrested, while authorities were conducting eradication of illegal weeds at Mount Bitullayungan in Barangay Loccong on February 28, 2022.
It is believed that this is the first time cultivators have been arrested during a marijuana eradication operation in Tinglayan for a long time.
Police Colonel Peter Tagtag Jr., Acting Kalinga Police Provincial Director, narrated that the anti-drug enforcement units of the Philippine National Police together with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Philippine Army were burning uprooted marijuana in Tinglayan when the operating personnel saw the three suspects.
He said that the three were caught harvesting marijuana plants on the site and that they were also carrying firearms described to be a Cal. 22, 9mm, and a 12-gauge Armscor shot gun.
“Naabutan da dasuda idiay ayan iti plantation da nga habhabulen da siguro nga i-harvest dagiay mabalin,” he said.
Tagtag added that the three attempted to escape, but they were not able to since they were surrounded by the operating troops.
The suspects were identified as Peter Bagtang, 22 years old; Langao Bagtang, 70; and a 17-year-old.
A case for violation of Section 16 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 and violation of the COMELEC gun ban have been filed against the three individuals.
Tagtag warned other cultivators in Tinglayan to stop the activity as the law enforcement agencies will not stop destroying the illegal plants in the province.
“Haan mi nga isardeng daytoy nga operation, continuous daytoy hanggat adda iti plantation tayo dita… Isardeng tayo kuma daytoy panagmulmula iti marijuana ta talaga nga haan mi nga isardeng iti eradication tayo,” he said.
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