By: JUNE S. BLANCO TOWARDS Christmas 26 years ago, one mother in Davao City and another in Tagbilaran City were infanticipating. They did not know it then, but they and their babies – and their husbands – were destined to meet. Today, their lives are entwined because as the babies approach their 27th birthdays, they will wed. The "little girl they carried" is now blushing bride-to-be Dale Rose Cuyno Abapo, 26 going on 27 on Dec. 25, a graduate of Bachelor of Arts in International Studies with major in the French language and now working at the Canadian Embassy in Makati City . She is the daughter of Provincial Administrator Tomas Abapo Jr. and Ubay Municipal Councilor Roselima Cuyno-Abapo. The true-blue Bol-anon has roots in Ubay (Cuyno), Bien Unido and Talibon (Abapo), Baclayon (Alas) and Tagbilaran (Dahab and Remolador). The "little boy they played" is now dashing groom-to-be Carlo Aranas, also 26 going on 27, a metallurgical engineer working at P&G in Lagun
The local team of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) strives to be on top of the situation as it remains a challenge to outsmart the wealthy illegal drugs ring that contrasts government scarcity. PDEA-Bohol head Ma. Chona Egam lamented that the lack of resources and manpower often hamper their operation, especially that they have to implement simultaneous programs on supply reduction and demand reduction. The drug ring proved to be wealthier than the government agency and, therefore, could move faster. Egam also expressed disappointment that of the cases they had filed against drug personalities, there were more acquittal than conviction. On this, PDEA needs to double time in polishing the evidence gathering and surveillance operations, she added. With limited personnel, it became impossible for the PDEA to create different teams to whom the tasks could supposedly be segregated. Usually, there is only one team to focus on all the strategies, resulting to lack of focu