P7.5 billion seized drugs destroyed

MANILA, Philippines — More than a ton of illegal drugs seized in law enforcement operations valued at P7.51 billion were destroyed in Trece Martires City, Cavite yesterday.

President Duterte led the ceremonial destruction of the seized drugs at the Integrated Waste Management Inc. facility in Barangay Aguado.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) director general Wilkins Villanueva said the activity was in compliance with the Dangerous Drugs Act, which calls for the disposal of illegal drugs under the custody of law enforcement agencies.

“The destruction was also in response to the President’s directive to immediately destroy all shabu evidence, residual or otherwise, to avoid recycling,” Villanueva said.

Among those destroyed are 1,075,678.73 grams of shabu worth P7.31 billion; marijuana leaves, P29.75 million, and 18,179.86 grams of cocaine, P96.35 million.

The President vowed to continue the fight against the drug menace even as he lauded agencies involved in the anti-narcotics campaign.

“We will continue to work even harder not only to suppress the supply of narcotics in our streets, but also to prevent our country from being used as a trans-shipment point of the illegal drug trade in the Asia-Pacific region,” Duterte said.

‘Shoot suspects’

The President reiterated his directive for law enforcers to shoot drug suspects if they think their lives are in danger.

He vowed to take responsibility for the consequences of his drug war, which has been criticized by human rights groups here and abroad.

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Debold Sinas said he would enhance Oplan Tokhang.

”We find it very effective. It is just a matter of using and strategizing it,” Sinas said in an interview over ANC.

Oplan Tokhang involves visiting the homes of suspected drug pushers and users to convince them to surrender.

When asked how he would strengthen the program, Sinas said they would provide more funds to police stations and other field units.