DAVAO CITY —Authorities destroyed on Thursday some P7,51-billion worth of confiscated illegal drugs before President Rodrigo Duterte, making it a milestone in the government’s fight against the proliferation of illicit narcotics.
A total of 1,333 kilos of methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu), liquid shabu, marijuana, liquid marijuana, ecstasy, cocaine, and other dangerous substances were destroyed through thermal decomposition.
The event was held at the Integrated Waste Management Inc. in Trece Martires City, Cavite.
In his speech, Duterte said the destruction of the assorted drugs is an affirmation of the administration’s determination to put an end to the drug menace that harmed millions of drug users, destroyed countless families, and continues to threaten society.
He urged law enforcers and anti-drug operatives must intensify their operations against drug trafficking, “I am asking the brave men and women of our law enforcement agencies, the prosecution service, and the judiciary to never waver in their difficult yet rewarding task. We already accomplished a lot in the past four years, and we can accomplish more in the next years to come”.
Thursday’s destruction of seized drugs adds to the more than P56-billion worth of illegal narcotics confiscated by authorities after conducting more than 180,000 anti-illegal drug operations since the beginning of the Duterte administration.
“We will continue to work even harder not only to suppress the supply of narcotics in our streets but also to prevent our country from being used as a trans-shipment point for the illegal drug trade in the Asia-Pacific region,” Duterte said.
Drug syndicates continue to operate despite the current COVID-19 pandemic, the President told law enforcement agents and operatives, urging them to remain steadfast in their anti-narcotics campaign.
“Ending illegal drug trade means securing the future of our nation. Together, let us make the drug-free Philippines the greatest legacy that we can leave behind to our children and the succeeding generations,” he added.
Duterte thanked the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP( for their continued fight against illegal drugs.
The event was witnessed by Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra, PDEA Director General Wilkins Villanueva, PNP Chief Police General Debold Sinas, and Sen. Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go.-Editha Z. Caduaya
