THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) burned the seized illegal drugs in Davao Region worth P3.9 million on Wednesday, December 13, at the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Building, IBP Davao del Norte Chapter, Mankilam, Tagum City, Davao del Norte.

PDEA-Davao information officer III Noli Nephi Dimaandal said Saturday that the activity was pursuant to Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the “Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002,” which provides the powers and duties to their agency to take charge and have custody of all dangerous drugs, plant sources of dangerous drugs, controlled precursors and essential chemicals, as well as instruments/paraphernalia and/or laboratory equipment so confiscated, seized, and/or surrendered.

There was a total of 468.3683 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride, locally known as “shabu,” with a street value of P3,184,911.24 and cannabis sativa locally known as “marijuana” weighing 5,942.8570 grams with a street value of P713,142.84 that were destroyed, totaling P3,898,054.04 based on the Dangerous Drugs Board Value worth of illegal drugs.

The burning of confiscated/seized illegal drugs was witnessed by Arlene Palabrica, executive judge, Regional Trial Court, Branch 31 and Sharon Rose Sarracin, Presiding Judge, Regional Trial Court, Branch 30. Also present were the respective representative from the Department of Justice (DOJ), Public Attorney’s Office (Pao), elected public official, civil society group and the media.

“The burning of seized/confiscated illegal drugs was done to erase the skepticism of the public that there is a recycling of seized/confiscated illegal drugs by the law enforcement agencies,” Dimaandal said.

Meanwhile, PDEA-Davao director Antonio Rivera thanked various sectors for their support in the fight against illegal drugs including the local government units in Davao Region, Police Regional Office 11, other law enforcement agencies, media and the community.

“This collaborative effort of the five pillars of the criminal justice system serves as a warning to all drug perpetrators that we are working hand in hand to suppress the supply of illegal drugs in our country,” Rivera said.