ILLEGAL drugs seized in anti-narcotics operations and expired medicines surrendered by pharmaceuticals and hospitals were destroyed through thermal incineration Thursday, December 12, at the Gegato-Abecia Crematorium Inc. in Barangay Balabago, Jaro, Iloilo City.

The illegal drugs include more than 1,000 grams of shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) amounting to P7,180,228.80, and marijuana (leaves, seeds and plants) weighing 659.4489 grams with a street value of P65,944.

The expired medicines were worth P1,590,568.52.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Western Visayas Chief Alex Tablate said the drugs were destroyed by thermal burning, by virtue of the guidelines set forth in the Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation 1, Series of 2002 and of Section 21 of Republic Act 9165, otherwise known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Police Colonel Marlon Tayaba, regional chief for Directorial Staff, and Police Colonel Harold Tuzon, deputy regional director for operations of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-Western Visayas, also witnessed the operation on behalf of Police Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan.

Also present Thursday, December 12, were representatives from the Regional Crime Laboratory, Dangerous Drugs Board, Department of Justice (Prosecutor's Office), nongovernment organizations, elected local officials and media.

Tablate said the last destruction of illegal drugs was done in 2016.

The PDEA and PRO said the destruction Thursday, December 12, was a great way to cap off the year. They expressed their continued partnership against the proliferation of illegal drugs in Western Visayas. (SunStar Philippines)