THE RAMPANT DRUG trafficking incidents in Zamboanga del Sur and its neighboring provinces has vexed Rep. Aurora Cerilles to urge the Committee on Dangerous Drugs (CDD) in Congress to conduct its inquiry in aid of legislation. This move still has relevance since when Aurora "Auring" Cerilles was governor, she cracked the whip against the proliferation of drugs in the province. Cerilles said in her resolution passed during the first regular session that there is a pressing need to address the drug problem to reduce drug-related crimes which is "very high." The congresswoman's move came in the wake of the announcement of Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Director Adzhar Albani that Zambosur is still a "critical area" in terms of clandestine trafficking of illicit drugs. Rep. Cerilles disclosed that even so, the Provincial Government has consistently pursued its drug campaign which resulted in the apprehension of big time drug traffickers and apprehension of 997 grams of shabu. In her resolution, Cerilles mentioned the towns of Labangan, Tukuran and Margosatubig and Pagadian City as places where law enforcers seized undetermined amounts of shabu in separate operations. "The series of incidents is a clear indication of the veracity of a confidential report from PDEA that a big time triumvirate operates in the province," Cerilles said. "The rule of law is one of the more critical elements of good governance that factor heavily in our pursuit of peace and development," she added. "The commitment to the rule of law is as much our commitment as a legislative body to the pursuit of peace and development not only in our province but in our country."             "It is the policy of the state to safeguard the integrity of its territory and well-being of its citizenry particularly the youth, from the harmful effects of dangerous drugs on their physical and mental developmental well-being and to defend the same against acts of omissions detrimental to their development and preservation," she said. Meanwhile, Gov. Antonio Cerilles likewise said an organized action against illegal drugs is a must for Zambosurian parents to protect their children. "Kinahanglan nga protektahan nato atong mga anak ug kabatan-onan kay sila mao atong gilantaw nga mahimo natong mga lider sa atong komunidad sa umaabot. Dili mahimo nga ato silang pasagdan ug mamahimong biktima sa droga," he said. (JONG CADION & MM MEDINA)