Bacolod City – In a significant crackdown on illegal drugs, law enforcement agencies in Bacolod City arrested 10 suspects and confiscated PHP1.046 million worth of shabu in a series of operations over the past two days. The operations were conducted by the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) and other drug enforcement units.
The most recent operation took place on Thursday night in Purok Kaingin, Barangay Singcang-Airport, led by the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group Special Operations Unit-Western Visayas. The primary suspect, 25-year-old Aeron Grace Andal, was arrested for selling a sachet of shabu valued at PHP13,000 to an undercover officer. Alongside Andal, five others were apprehended: Stephanie Espinosa, Maria Aliguin, Samuel Gallardo, Audie Medel, and Freddie Denisa. Police recovered 75 grams of shabu worth PHP510,000 and various drug paraphernalia from the suspects. Andal denied owning the seized drugs, while Denisa claimed no involvement in the drug trade.
In another operation by Police Station 5, Arnold Pangaral was arrested in Hacienda Teresita, Barangay Granada, for selling PHP500 worth of shabu. He yielded seven grams of shabu, valued at PHP47,000. Additionally, three suspects were caught in Purok Lubi, Barangay 3, by the BCPO-City Drug Enforcement Unit on Wednesday morning. Jimmy Cordova, Michael Ababa, and Wilfrando Francia were detained after selling PHP3,000 worth of shabu to an undercover police officer, with about 72 grams of shabu worth PHP489,000 found in their possession.
All suspects are now facing charges under Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son on December 1 held talks with Politburo member, Director of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee’s Commission for Foreign Affairs and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi, who is in Vietnam to co-chair the 15th Meeting of the Vietnam-China Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation.
The two sides compared notes on the Vietnam-China relations and measures to further promote the coordination role of the two foreign ministries in implementing high-level common perceptions and results reached at the 15th Meeting of the Vietnam-China Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation; and continue deepening the bilateral relations, thus contributing to peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world.
They spoke highly of the stable development and achievements in the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries. They agreed on the need for the two ministries to continue to closely coordinate in preparing for all-lev
el exchange activites and meetings in the coming time; and work together to improve the effectiveness of cooperation mechanisms between the two countries’ ministries, sectors and localities.
Son proposed China continue to expand its imports of goods and agricultural products from Vietnam; enhance transport infrastructure connectivity, especially railways and roads; and actively discuss to soon reach solutions to resolve lingering issues in projects. He also suggested facilitating procedures for Vietnam to establish trade promotion offices in various localities of China.
Wang affirmed that developing relations with Vietnam is a top priority in China’s foreign policy on its neighbourhood.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs is ready to closely work with its Vietnamese counterpart to well realise the important common perceptions reached by leaders of the two Parties and countries, he said.
He also proposed the two sides enhance strategic connectivity between the “Belt and Road” initiative and the “Two Co
rridors, One Belt” framework; promote economic, trade and investment cooperation as well as cultural, education and tourism exchanges, and boost close coordination at international forums.
Regarding territorial and border issues, the two sides agreed to continue coordination to well implement three legal documents on the Vietnam – China land border; strengthen border management; accelerate the opening and upgrading of border gate pairs as agreed between the two sides; and deploy the pilot operation of Ban Gioc (Vietnam) – Detian (China) waterfall landscape area.
Regarding the East Sea issue, the two sides agreed to well implement high-level common perceptions on properly controlling and handling disagreements at sea, not let it to affect the good development of relations between the two Parties and two countries.
Son suggested authorities at all levels and sectors of both sides to respect each other’s legitimate rights and interests established in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 Unit
ed Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The two sides need to join hands with ASEAN countries to promote negotiations and soon reach a practical, effective and efficient Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law and the 1982 UNCLOS./.
Source: Vietnam News Agency