ZAMBOANGA CITY – Zamboanga City Administrator Wendell Sotto expressed his appreciation for local authorities relentless fight against illegal drugs, commending the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Office-9, law enforcement units, and the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
During a press briefing at City Hall on Wednesday, Nov. 15, Atty. Sotto lauded the strong commitment to combating illegal drugs, citing the recent destruction of approximately P42.44 million worth of seized dangerous drugs, controlled precursors, and essential chemicals (CPECs) at the Permex Plant in Ayala on Monday, November 14.
“It shows that our fight against illegal drugs is strong,” he stated, representing Mayor John Dalipe during the destruction event.
PDEA reported that 6,232.5868 kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochloride (HCl) valued at P42.38 million and 538.4432 kilograms of marijuana worth P64,613.18 were destroyed through thermal decomposition or thermolysis. This process involves breaking down chemical compounds using intense heat.
The destruction was witnessed by representatives from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), media, police, prosecutors, Public Attorneys Office (PAO), Environmental Management Bureau (EMB), PDEA city office, and other partner agencies.
PDEA-9 Assistant Regional Director Ralph Rommel Torres also praised the collaborative efforts of Mayor Dalipe, prosecutors, courts, media, CSOs, police, and other partners, emphasizing that the event on Monday demonstrated the collective impact of working together to eliminate illegal drugs in the region.
The seized substances were covered by court orders for destruction issued by various courts. (LGU Zamboanga City/Vic Larato/Photo by: Kathy Wee Sit)
