A TOTAL of P11.6 million worth of illegal drugs were burned by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Davao on Tuesday morning, November 21, at Rodolfo P. Del Rosario Gymnasium, Tagum, Davao Del Norte.

The illegal substances were confiscated from the suspects during a series of anti-drug operations conducted by Pdea agents in the area of Davao del Norte alone.

PDEA-Davao officer-in-charge regional director Naravy Duquiatan said that of this number, there were 962.90 grams (g) of shabu pegged at P11,554,800, with a market value of P12,000/g based on the Dangerous Drug Board (DDB).

PDEA also burned 1,212g of marijuana worth P48,484, with market value of P40/g, and 7.5g of cocaine worth P45,000, with a market value of P6,000/g.

“These are decided cases with court order from Davao del Norte,” Daquiatan said.

She added that the next burning will be held in Davao City

President Rodrigo Duterte last month removed drug-related operations from the Philippine National Police and is now solely carried out by the Pdea. This move is in response to the criticisms from human rights groups and foreign governments amid alleged killings hurled against the war on drugs.

Meanwhile, Duquiatan earlier said they are now gearing to increase the number PDEA agents to effectively enforce anti-drug operations as well as awareness campaign.