REPEATED police raids in Barangay Banaba West, Batangas City, have yet to answer one disturbing question. Why does the reported illegal paihi operation keep coming back?
Batangas Police Provincial Director PCol. Oliver Ebora must get to the bottom of this.
Several operations have reportedly resulted in arrests, confiscation of petroleum products and the dismantling of facilities.
Yet the reported activity continues to raise serious questions about the effectiveness of these enforcement efforts.
Two names have surfaced in allegations surrounding the operation, Emerson and an alias Roy. Roy is reportedly managing the operation, while Emerson is alleged to be its financier.
These claims must be thoroughly investigated and established through evidence, not speculation.
If evidence points to their involvement, investigators must follow the money, identify the people behind the business and establish their respective roles.
Nobody should be beyond investigation, whether financier, manager or actual operator.
But the bigger responsibility rests with Ebora.
A raid means little if the same operation returns days or weeks later. Arresting workers and confiscating fuel will not solve the problem if those controlling and financing the business remain untouched.
This calls for deeper intelligence work, sustained surveillance and stronger coordination with concerned agencies.
The people of Banaba West deserve lasting results, not a cycle of raids, arrests and reopening.
PCol. Ebora, it is time to end this cycle. Find those behind the operation, hold accountable whoever is proven involved, and make sure Banaba West never becomes a haven for illegal paihi again.
