TANZA Esperanza village chief Noel Odicta led the dismantling of at least two houses in his barangay suspected as drug dens by users and pushers.
The houses remain unoccupied during daytime after police started their Oplan Tokhang and Double Barrel operations.
However, there were reports that several men suspected as shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) users were at the houses, especially during the evenings.
Barangay Tanza Esperanza in Iloilo City was identified by the local police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) as having a serious drug affectation with several drug pushers and users.
However, the village chief said it is about time the barangay must change and redeem its image as dug infested community and seek out a better place for the residents of more than 2,000 people.
Odicta is the younger brother of slain alleged top drug lord Melvin Odicta Sr.
Melvin and his wife Meriam met their death at the Caticlan jetty port in Malay, Aklan, last August 29 after embarking from a roro vessel from Manila and going back to Iloilo City.
The slain couple was buried last Sunday, September 11, at the Forest Lake Memorial Park in Iloilo City with more than 2,000 friends, relatives and neighbors in attendance.
The village chief told his relatives and constituents to forget the past after they have already buried their dead.
He said the barangay must move on and cleanse their place of any trace of illegal drugs.
The younger Odicta also reiterated his and his barangay council’s cooperation and coordination with the police in making their village peaceful and drug-free.
