DESTROYED. Over one kilogram of shabu worth PHP7.1 million and at least 89 grams of marijuana worth PHP10,000 are destroyed in a ceremony led by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Caraga on Thursday (Oct. 15, 2020) in Butuan City. Officials called on Caraga residents to help the government in its fight against illegal drugs, even amid the coronavirus disease pandemic. (Photo courtesy of PDEA-13 Information Office)
BUTUAN CITY – The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Caraga (PDEA-13) on Thursday led the destruction of over a thousand grams of shabu worth PHP7.1 million and at least 89 grams of marijuana worth PHP10,000 in a ceremony held at the headquarters of the Army's 402nd Infantry Brigade (402Bde) of the Army here.
“The illegal drugs destroyed were already presented as pieces of evidence under the cases that are already decided in courts,” Dindo Abellanosa, PDEA-13 information officer, told the Philippine News Agency Thursday.
Abellanosa said the destruction of the confiscated illegal drugs is in accordance with the provision of Sec. 21 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 as amended by Republic Act 10640 that further strengthened the anti-drug campaign of the government.
PDEA-13 Director Aileen Tan-Lobitos noted that despite the health threat of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), some individuals are still into illegal drug activities.
"PDEA-13 and its units in the provinces will not cease with our operations despite this pandemic, we will continue with our war against illegal drugs,” Lobitos said, who led the activity along with Agusan del Norte Gov. Dale B. Corvera and Col. Cerilo Balaoro, 402Bde deputy commander.
Corvera, who also chairs the Regional Development Council (RDC) in Caraga, lauded PDEA-13 for leading the destruction of confiscated illegal drugs in the presence of the other stakeholders in the region.
"For the sake of transparency, PDEA is making sure that this is done with witnesses and public knowledge through the help of media partners. The local government units must sincerely support the efforts of our authorities in attaining a drug-free Philippines. Policymakers have to strengthen endeavors in cracking down illegal drugs so we can solve this problem before the term of President Duterte ends," Corvera said.
Likewise, Balaora also reiterated the Army's support to the government's war on drugs.
"We are here to help in fighting the culture of not only corruption but also illegal drugs," Balaoro said. (PNA)
