MORE than P80 million worth of illegal drugs were destroyed anew by anti-narcotics agents Monday, Dec. 12, 2022.
The illegal drugs, worth P83.9 million, were destroyed at the thermal facility of Cosmopolitan Funeral Homes in Cebu City upon the order of the court.
Monday’s activity was the fourth this year, said Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Central Visayas (PDEA 7) Director Levi Ortiz, adding that the drugs were among the pieces of evidence seized from drug suspects in the region.
On Nov. 29, nearly 37 kilos of illegal drugs worth around P256 million were also burned.
Some of the drugs destroyed Monday were earlier placed under the custody of the Philippine National Police Regional Forensic Unit-Central Visayas.
Ortiz said since 2019, when he assumed the PDEA 7 post, they have destroyed a total of P766 million worth of illegal drugs, mostly methamphetamine hydrochloride (shabu) and marijuana.
He said another batch of illegal drugs will be burned in 2023, stressing that around 50 kilos of the prohibited substances have remained in their custody and are awaiting a court order for destruction.
He said he considers their campaign against illegal drugs in 2022 successful, and he expects this to intensify in the coming years with the creation of the One Cebu Inter-Agency Interdiction Task Force.
The One Cebu IAITF was launched on Dec. 7, 2022 as part of the Cebu Provincial Government’s fight against illegal drugs, criminality and terrorism throughout the province.
Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, who earlier declared an “all-out war” against illegal drugs, leads the task force.
“I am speaking for Region 7. Yes, one word, successful. Especially the end culminates with the creation of the One Cebu Inter-Agency Interdiction Task Force, which will greatly strengthen our campaign against illegal drugs,” said Ortiz.
He said aside from eradicating drugs, their campaign this year was also focused on reforming those who were addicted to illegal substances.
Ortiz also proposed a masterplan that includes the putting up of closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras in ports and terminals in the region to monitor the entry and exit points.
He said this masterplan needs to be reviewed, though, by members of the One Cebu IAITF.
“We suggest that all ports have CCTV so we can monitor the vehicles coming in and out of the ports,” Ortiz said.
He added that they will also put up a command center in the Provincial Capitol to oversee the operation and ensure regular inspection by members of the task force. (AYB / LMY)