By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — In a major demonstration of the government’s continuing anti-illegal drug campaign, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on Wednesday destroyed P1.91 billion worth of confiscated dangerous drugs, ensuring that the seized narcotics can never re-enter the black market.
The destruction took place at the Cosmopolitan Memorial Chapels and Crematory in Quezon City, where the illegal drugs were disposed of through thermal decomposition under tight security and in the presence of government officials, law enforcement agencies, civil society organizations, and members of the media.
Destroyed were 335,668.1821 grams of solid dangerous drugs and 1,025.7 milliliters of liquid narcotics, including 279.67 kilograms of shabu, 55.62 kilograms of marijuana, 316 capsules of MDMA (Ecstasy), as well as diazepam, pseudoephedrine, liquid marijuana, and toluene.
PDEA said all of the illegal drugs had been seized during anti-drug operations conducted by the agency and its law enforcement partners. The narcotics were destroyed only after the courts authorized their disposal upon the conclusion of criminal proceedings in which the substances had been presented as evidence.
PDEA Director General Undersecretary Isagani Nerez stressed that the destruction of confiscated drugs is a critical step in protecting communities from the harmful effects of illegal narcotics.
“Every gram of illegal drugs destroyed represents lives protected, families saved from the scourge of drug abuse, and communities made safer. Once the courts authorize their destruction, PDEA ensures these dangerous substances are permanently eliminated,” Nerez said.
He added that the public destruction reflects the agency’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
“The entire process is conducted in the presence of the courts, partner agencies, civil society, and the media because transparency strengthens public trust and supports the Bagong Pilipinas vision of honest, accountable, and effective public service,” he said.
The destruction activity was witnessed by Dangerous Drugs Board Chairman Secretary Oscar F. Valenzuela, representatives from the Department of Justice, Department of the Interior and Local Government, other law enforcement agencies, non-government organizations, barangay officials, and members of the media.
PDEA said the public disposal of seized narcotics underscores the government’s resolve to prevent illegal drugs from returning to the streets while reinforcing the integrity of the country’s anti-drug enforcement program.
ia/xf
