ZAMBOANGA CITY — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Regional Office in the Zamboanga Peninsula spearheaded the destruction of about P42.44million worth of seized dangerous drugs, controlled precursors and essential chemicals.

PDEA-9 director Emerson L. Margate on Tuesday disclosed that the PDEA-9 destroyed the prohibited substance through thermal decomposition or thermolysis at the Permex Canning  Sardine Plan compound in Barangay  Ayala on  Monday.

Destroyed through thermal decomposition were 6,232.5868 kilograms of methamphetamine hydrochloride worth P42.38 million and 538.4432 kilos of marijuana worth P64,613.18.

Margate explained that thermal decomposition or thermolysis involves breaking down chemical compounds with the use of tremendous heat.

Mayor John Dalipe, represented by City Administrator Atty. Wendell Sotto and representatives from the civil society organizations, police, prosecutors, Public Attorney's Office Environmental Management Bureau, PDEA city office and other partner agencies witnessed the destruction.