Davao del Sur – The Philippine Drugs Enforcement Agency in Region XI has led the disposal of seized illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia valued at more than ₱ 32.5 million. The dangerous drugs consisted of over 1.7 kilograms of Methamphetamine Hydrochloride or commonly known as “Shabu” which amounted to about ₱ 11.6 million and over 173 kilograms of marijuana worth ₱ 20.8 million.
The actual burning which was done at an open space at the Davao del Sur Sports Complex in Barangay Matti, Digos City, was the first regionwide activity to be conducted this year by PDEA-XI along with the Police Regional Office (PRO-XI) and the Davao del Sur provincial government.
The activity was witnessed by the officials and personnel of PDEA-XI, PRO-XI, Davao del Sur local government, and representatives of the Department of Justice and media. The disposal of the confiscated illegal drugs and instruments was pursuant to Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Act of 2002.
It was also based from the court orders of the regional trial courts in Davao Region and from the order of PDEA for dismissed cases or no filed cases in court. PDEA-XI Regional Director Antonio Rivera said they intend to do the activity in the provinces in a quarterly basis.
“That’s why we are coordinating with the judges, the judiciary to fast tract the disposal of cases so that we can come up with several illegal drugs na sunogon nato ,” Rivera stated in a media interview.
Governor Douglas Cagas, who graced the activity as guest speaker, urged the public to support the war against illegal drugs, stating “Together, mga opisyales, mga parents, let’s not reduce the intensity of our passion to fight this common enemy, the illegal drugs.” The Governor also called on the “young men and women to volunteer” in the fight against illegal drugs.
Police Brigadier General Filmore Escobal, chief of the Police Regional Office 11, raised the importance of the support of the communities and the stakeholders in a message delivered on his behalf by Deputy Regional Director for Operations PCol. Edgar Alan Okuba.
“The support of the community and stakeholders in our campaign against illegal drugs is of high regard as we feel indebted because we can’t fight this drug menace alone. Your support really matters in fulfilling the plans and programs of Police Regional Office 11.”
Escobal emphasized that “having a drug-free community depends on the constituents who are working together to defeat the drug trade, apprehend the dealers and destroy the illegal drugs and paraphernalia which are plague of the society.”
“We are unified. Wala sa amo ng bikil or animosity. We are one and we are united especially in our drive against illegal drugs,” Rivera assured when asked in a media interview on the coordination of the agency with the Police force in the region.
He also said that they have strengthened their coordination with the Bureau of Customs as PDEA-XI is on tight watch on the source of illegal drugs and the mode of entry such as through couriers.
(Carina L. Cayon, PIA-XI | Michael Manguhig, RPN DXKT Davao OIC)