Ilocos Sur mayor seeks border clarity on suspected marijuana farms

SAN ILDEFONSO, Ilocos Sur—Mayor Daniel Lano Jr. of Sugpon town in Ilocos Sur on Sunday said efforts to eradicate marijuana cultivation have been complicated by long-standing boundary disputes and unclear jurisdiction over suspected marijuana plantations in mountainous areas between his town and Kibungan, Benguet.

“This issue is not only a fight against illegal drugs, but also against technical and administrative gaps being exploited by syndicates,” Lano said in Filipino in a Sept. 13 statement. 

The mayor identified conflicting claims over areas around the Kibungan barangays of Badeo and Takadang and Sitio Culliang inside Tacadang. 

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READ: Marijuana field uncovered in remote village in Sugpon, Ilocos Sur

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He said digital maps do not always correspond with conditions on the ground, with some maps placing the areas under Barangay Licungan in Sugpon while residents there reportedly identify themselves with Benguet.

Lano said the lack of clearly established boundaries could create jurisdictional problems, including possible dismissal of cases when the location of an alleged plantation is disputed.

The mayor called for joint boundary management and mapping rectification involving Ilocos Sur, Benguet and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

He also urged the national government, particularly the Department of Public Works and Highways, to prioritize roads and other infrastructure in disputed and remote areas.

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The mayor noted that if there are roads, commerce, services, and government monitoring will follow.

Lano said improved access would allow government personnel, law enforcement officers, and other service providers to reach remote communities more easily.

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He also called for clarification of the status of forest areas where alleged marijuana plantations have reportedly been found, noting that the public-land status of these areas can make it difficult to identify the people behind the cultivation.

Lano further alleged that organized groups with financial resources and connections were supporting marijuana operations in disputed areas.

He stressed that authorities should focus on the alleged syndicates behind the illegal trade rather than ordinary farmers who may be caught up in the operations.

READ: 5,200 marijuana plants destroyed in Ilocos Sur

“The enemy is drugs and the syndicates, not our neighboring communities,” Lano said.

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Lano said Sugpon remained committed to working with Benguet and national government agencies to address the problem. Kenneth P. Tabin/Contributor